the world to come meets the world that is

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passion, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14 ESV

God's grace has a lot to say about living in the present world while I wait for the world to come. I might prefer to just keep my head down and live by this world's rules as best I can until the next world comes, but grace calls for more. Instead of separating myself from the world, grace sends me out into it. It is interesting that the above verses are preceded and followed by instruction on how to live around others in ways that "adorn the gospel."

In Jeremiah chapter 29, God told his people to seek the peace and prosperity of the ungodly city of Babylon, which they found themselves in, while they waited for God's deliverance. What would that look like for us in our city or suburb? Does doing good display the gospel or get in the way of the gospel? Am I content to lay low, when God is saying, "Let's go!"