Biblical Reflections · Christian Life
Are you still not a stranger to this world?
6 min read, approximately
“Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:11-12)
Strangers?
When we believe, confess, and accept Christ as Lord and Savior, besides being saved (Romans 10:8-10), we are automatically given the opportunity to become children of God
“But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12)
And not only that…
We are now God’s people, having passed from darkness into light
“But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for [God’s] own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)
So it is clear that
“For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 3:20)
Therefore, we must always give thanks:
“giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins:” (Colossians 1:12-14)
Instead of walking in darkness, our duty now is to carry the identification document called holiness
“Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Strangers to this world with heavenly citizenship
As strangers, knowing that our citizenship is heavenly and that we are here to proclaim the excellencies of the one who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light (evangelism), we must live as strangers to this world by:
\1. Conducting ourselves with dignity
“And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
\2. Longing for good and rejecting evil
“Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation; if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious:” (1 Peter 2:1-3)
\3. Walking in the Spirit
“But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.” (Galatians 5:16-25)
\4. Searching God’s Word and walking according to what is written in it
“Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed [thereto] according to thy word.” (Psalms 119:9)
\5. Seeking God’s approval
“Strive to deserve God’s approval, as a worker who has nothing to be ashamed of, as someone who faithfully follows the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 BLP)
\6. Staying alert and praying
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
What do we think?
“Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. And whither I go, ye know the way. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; how know we the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also: from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” (John 14:1-7)
Are we still not strangers to this world? Then let us go out…
“Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us therefore go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after [the city] which is to come. Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.” (Hebrews 13:12-15)
And if we are already strangers to this world, let us not lose our way!
“…I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called.” (Ephesians 4:1b)
“and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting [one another]; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
“For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that [country] from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better [country], that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Hebrews 11:14-16)
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May God continue to bless you, and may you keep enjoying an excellent day in Christ Jesus!