How to Live in Babylon

There's a sense in which we live between two worlds. Christ's incarnational mission- His taking on flesh, dwelling among us, dying for the forgiveness of our sins, and his resurrection to new life to secure the same for us- all that Christ did ushered in a new age. He established his Kingdom here on earth, but then let us know that more restoration would come. He made very clear that one day, He'll return to set everything right. Spiritually, it is finished- our debt has been paid and new life is ours through Christ. Physically, we live in a broken, sin-sick world. There is for now an "already/not yet" nature to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. How should we live in this world. How should we approach our attitude toward where God has us for now? Jeremiah 29 speaks directly to this issue. The Israelites had been taken captive and forced to leave their homes in Judea to live in Babylon. They were in exile. God gives his people specific directives in how to live while in exile. You may not like where you live, your job situation, etc... but it is no surprise to God that you're there. He's allowed you (or even led you) to be where you are for a reason. Rather than blaming the situation or even God, God wants us to transform the situation. God is so serious about us seeking the prosperity of the community we live in, He makes clear in verse 7 that our peace and prosperity is tied to that of our community.