Feet in Two Worlds
0 comments | Posted by Steven Layson on 05 Dec 2010 in From Steve's Study ::
I thought I’d take the opportunity today to tell you about a book I read recently, called “A Foot in Two Worlds” (by John Chapman).
In this short book, John tries to explain why it is that the Christian life can be a great joy, but also a great struggle sometimes. In essence, this is because we live like people who have “a foot in two worlds”. He says, “We have one foot firmly planted in this world and, at the same time, one foot planted in the world to come, where everything is perfect. This brings its own tension which cannot be totally relieved until Christ’s return or when we go to be with him in death.”
For example, we know that we have a wonderful future to look forward to, but we still struggle with the difficulties of this life – temptation, suffering, sin etc. How is it that we can be “dead to sin”, as Paul describes us in Romans 6 & yet still struggle with its alluring power, as Paul seems to in Romans 7.
John describes why the world is as it is, but also helps us raise our vision to the glories of the new creation that awaits us. As he does so, he helps us to understand how we can live positively with the tensions between the two worlds, & how a clear sight of our future can help us with our daily struggles.
This is only a short book, but I think it gives us some helpful tools for living, as the Apostle Peter describes us, “as aliens and strangers” in this world. Grab the copy from the library & I’m sure you’ll find it a helpful read.
« Create in Me a Clean Heart Between a Rock and a Hard Place»
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