This World Is Not My Home: Reflections for Pilgrims on the Way

by Mark G. Johnston

This is a pastoral, thoughtful, encouraging, challenging and, above all, radically God-centred book. The thirty brief but compelling chapters remind us that this world is not our home, that our destiny is ‘a city that has foundations whose designer and builder is God,’ and that we are called to live world-engaging, Christ-glorifying lives. It also highlights a most important aspect of the gospel’s message – the cosmic nature of Christ’s redemption, from its beginning in the wake of Adam’s tragic fall in humanity’s first home, the garden of Eden, to its consummation in the new heavens and new earth.

Here is a call to all Christians to live as pilgrims, pressing onwards and upwards to our eternal home.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christian Living

192 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2021

Reviews

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where can we find rest in this world? In This World is Not My Home, Mark G. Johnston writes reflections for pilgrims on the way. With 30 chapters at just around 170 pages, Johnston presents a compelling book calling all Christians to embrace their identity as pilgrims in this world.

Jesus was Homeless

The book is divided into 5 sections: (1) From Eden to the New Jerusalem, (2) Christ the Pioneer and Perfecter of Our Salvation, (3) The Church: God’s Pilgrim People, (4) Living the Pilgrim Life, and (5) Rejoicing in Hope and Heading for Home. The chapters are short and I savored every word.

I was most moved in Chapter 4, where Johnston explains the fact that Jesus was a homeless man. With biblical insight, he paints a vivid picture of our Savior. I was humbled to hear of what Jesus endured so that we could find our rest in him. Johnston is clear and concise with his words, but they do not read as clinical. He writes with pastoral warmth and wisdom, helping you find your home in Heaven.

Glimpse the Gospel from Heaven

This book was especially fitting for me to read during the Advent season. In Chapter 7, Johnston studies the word kenosis and how Jesus emptied himself. This includes any notion of privilege or status. He remained humble, and I am left with nothing but a heart of gratitude to my Lord.

Biblical and devotional, this is a rich and rewarding read. You will get a glimpse of the gospel from the vantage point of Heaven. You will see Jesus as a wanderer but also as the Way. And you will bow down in worship, waiting in anticipation for the Kingdom of God to fully come.

I received a media copy of This World is Not My Home and this is my honest review.

[David Nalley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a book for the believer, traveling from this world to the world to come. Mark Johnston writes as a fellow believer, to the heart of believers living in this broken world. He acknowledges that as followers of Christ, this world is not our home; we are longing for the New Heavens and New Earth to come. But as we live here on this earth, we must seek to honor God, and live faithful lives for Him until that day.

This book is written in an easy, readable style that is broken up into five major sections. Each major section is broken up into shorter chapters (making up 30 total chapters).
The first section focuses upon a Biblical theology of the Christian’s pilgrimage in this world from Genesis to Revelation.
The second section focuses upon the person and work of Christ, who Himself came to this broken world, to redeem sinners.
The third section focuses upon the Church of God, and their communal relationship in this world, as they travel through this world together.
The fourth section of this book looks more at the individual Christian living his/her life here on earth.
The final section focuses on looking ahead to heaven, and our eternal life with God.

Each section keeps in mind the big picture of our Christian lives here in this fallen world.
My personal favorite section was the first section, which focuses upon the pilgrim’s journey from a Biblical theology perspective. However, all of the book is useful and encouraging for the believer.

I would encourage all believers to pick up a copy of this book, read it, and seek to live as faithful pilgrims in this world, looking to the world to come.

[Stephen Hoogerhyde · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title of this book is taken from the hymn of the same name. It is a short but doctrinally solid and pastorally useful book. The premise of the book is set forth in the introduction: "The entire message of the Bible can rightly be summed up as the journey in which God alone can lead us. It is a journey that takes us from being alienated from God through Adam's disobedience, to being reconciled to him through Christ, and ultimately to the perfect home he is preparing for us in the new heavens and new earth."

The first section briefly summarizes the history of redemption. The second section focuses on Christ, and the third section focuses on the church. The fourth section focuses on the Christian life, and the final section narrows that focus to the experience of joy. As pilgrims on the way to our true and final home, the thirty reflections in this book will be helpful in orienting our thoughts and our attitudes to Christ and the joy of his salvation.

[Kevin V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnston’s book is a good read. He writes with a pastor’s heart, handling various gospel doctrines winsomely and Scripturally. My only critique is that the content of the book, good as it is, does not match the title or description of how the book is presented. I expected a book exploring what it means to live as pilgrims, how to live and think as though this world were not my home. What he writes is almost more of a short primer on what Christians are to believe.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful and intentional book. I enjoyed the layout and breakdown, including the short topics. His approach is helpful, as the greatest focus is on God’s overarching story, Christ’s center-spot in it all, and the importance of the church, leaving the individual take to the end. Not what I was originally expecting, but a short and digestible read on keeping one’s mind and heart focused on things eternal.

[Bambi Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good devotional read. I would have to agree with another reviewer who said the title doesn’t match the content I was expecting although I really enjoyed the book. I would say it is a primer on some key doctrines of the Christian faith.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reminders - love doing more thoughtful study on joy. A good book to refocus who we are and why we're on the journey.