Living as Strangers and Pilgrims in a Broken World
The Call to Live as Strangers and Pilgrims
The life of a Christian in this sin filled world is in so many ways comparable to a journey through a land where we are strangers and pilgrims. (I Peter 2:11) We have different ways than the people among whom we sojourn. Our interests, our aims, our manner of life, our very speech and dress are so different, for our citizenship is in Heaven; we are indeed an holy nation, a peculiar people. (I Peter 2:9) We are constantly surrounded on every side by enemies of our King, and we can expect their attitude toward Him to influence their thinking toward us. Each step of the way we must take with care, knowing that our destruction is the aim of the adversary. (1 Peter 5:8)
The Spiritual Mission of the Sojourner
We pass the time of our sojourning here in fear. (I Peter 1:17) Ours is a mission to tell everyone of Jesus and His saving grace, but this is made more difficult because to so many the preaching of the gospel is foolishness. (I Corinthians 1:18)
Resisting the Pressure to Conform
We are pressured to conform to them that surround us, but we have been instructed otherwise. (Romans 12:2) People oft times think it strange that we do not engage in the things they so commonly accept, (I Peter 4:4) but we have a duty to perform, shining as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:15)
Why Strangers and Pilgrims Travel Light
Since the duration of our stay here is brief, we avoid getting overly involved with the things of this world, especially with any thing that would burden us down and hinder us on our way or deter us from our course. We avoid driving our stakes too deeply here in the camp ground, knowing full well that we’ll move on in the morning.
“This world is not my home, I’m just a’ passing thru. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue…”