For the streets...of gold - Revelation 21:21; 1 Peter 2:8-9

In current culture, “for the streets” is often a dismissive and/or derisive phrase used to describe someone deemed sexually promiscuous and, subsequently, lacking any overwhelming sense of compulsion towards commitment to any one person. The person moves about freely, seemingly content in their decisions, as the term is more an outsider’s description of said individual versus a self-declaration. The phrase can describe a male or female, and often well-meaning family and friends caution their loved ones about becoming too emotionally attached with a person who has unmistakenly shown themselves (based on the observer’s metrics) to fit the bill of belonging to the streets.

This, of course, assumes the advisee is not, themselves, “for the streets.” Rather, they are desirous of a serious, monogamous relationship as opposed to random “hook-ups” or “situationships.”*  Women warn their girlfriends about becoming enamored with a guy who is known to move around, loyal only to the streets. Men warn their homeboys of how they will look becoming connected with someone who, likewise, gets around in that way. In short, being declared “for the streets” is not a good thing from the outside looking in. That is, of course, depending on what streets are in question.

There is a set of streets in which being “for the streets” is not a bad thing. It is, actually, a wonderful thing. Further, it is an ultimate thing. The streets in view are the streets of gold, described by the Apostle John in Revelations. While detailing New Jerusalem, John the Revelator writes, “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21). There will be streets of gold, in heaven’s eternity, for the citizens of God’s kingdom. While here on earth, God’s children become citizens of His kingdom by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, trusting that His death, burial, and resurrection were sufficient to pay the price for the believer’s sins and grants us forgiveness, salvation, and justification with God through Christ.

The disciple of Christ should become known for being a member of God’s family, an “already but not yet” citizen of the heavenly kingdom, where they will be made “for the streets” of gold. Reminding believers of their identity, Peter wrote, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

While sojourning in these earthly streets, scripture states our reputations should be highlighted by characteristics such as “holiness,” “peculiarity,” and serving as “agents of light.” This opposes the less savory iterations of behavior, earlier described. After receiving salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), we become more known for who we are becoming in Christ rather than who we were when we weren’t saved, or not walking in righteousness. Even if we were once “for the streets,” in the worldly sense, God changes our nature through regeneration, and prayerfully our behavior follows suit. As such, we begin to adhere to the laws of God’s kingdom as those who will walk God’s golden streets of eternity. Those are streets to which we should strive to belong.

 Reflection: What are some things you are known for? When your name is brought up, how do you imagine people view it? How might this impact you?

*These are all descriptive, not prescriptive. 1 Corinthians 6-7, among other scriptures, provide God’s teachings on sexual behavior for the believer.