Aliens, Strangers, and Pilgrims

Introduction:

The book of 1 Peter was written to Christians who were dispersed throughout Asia minor, a geographical area part of the Roman empire; no one specific congregation is addressed, so the letter must have been sent to several congregations in various areas -

Peter seems to use many Jewish images and references which might lead us to think a majority of these Christians were Jewish people, with also an increasing number of Gentiles. It would not have been unusual for Jewish people to refrain from idolatrous practices; there would have been a greater stigma for Gentiles who used to freely engage in idolatry to now abstain and refuse - cf.

The book of 1 Peter addresses the problem of suffering -

It also fills believers with hope of the ultimate salvation we have; we may suffer presently, but we have confidence of eternal salvation - ,

Peter’s message is one of how to “live with hope in this dead world”

There is one specific image that Peter uses to identify these Christians and that is the image of “aliens” or “strangers” or “pilgrims” or “sojourners.” These different terms are to invoke an image that should connect them with Abraham and being an heir of Abraham and being faithful like Abraham - ; ;

Hebrews 11:8–9 NASB95

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;

Galatians 3:29 NASB95

29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Romans 4:12 NASB95

12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

Being an alien, stranger, pilgrim, or sojourner implies several things about our relationship with the world, how we should live in this present world, and of our future hope of glory.

Life Is Not Defined By Where We Are

“You only live once” or “life is happening right in front of you” or “don’t let life pass you by” or “live in the moment”—these are all encouraging statements to help us open our eyes to the importance of what is happening right before our very eyes and appreciate what we have now, as we have them before we may lose them.

None of these statements are false or wrong, but they do have their limitations.

These statements do make it seem that the only life that we need to be concerned about is the life right now, where we are.

The call of being a Christian is to take up temporary residence in this world -

Peter says that we are to conduct ourself in a proper way “during the time of your stay on earth”—that’s something you might say if you’re working out of town or on vacation.

He is admonishing Christians to understand that this world is a temporary place for us. This is not our final home.

The apostle Paul underscored this important point, too. He said our citizenship is in heaven -

Philippians 3:20–21 NASB95

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

If we are citizens of a different place, that means we are immigrants in this world.

One of the most powerful tools the devil has at his disposal is to deceive us into thinking that our life is only defined by the “here and now.”

Consider the faith of Moses and how he gave up the passing pleasures of sin and riches of Egypt—how many people are willing to forfeit their souls for just a little bit of temporary happiness -

Marriages are ruined by adultery for just a few minutes, hours, days—years of commitment to your spouse can be wrecked in just a short amount of time, when you think only of the “here and now.”

Greed is a powerful deception into making us think there’s an easy way to make money by stealing without hard work.

This world is not our home and we need to develop a mindset that enables us to view this world as a temporary place. We need to shape our minds into considering our connection to heaven—all of the time.

Our Journey Takes Us Through This World

Even though we are not citizens of this world, our home is truly in heaven, we must live in a way that is proper of our citizenship. We represent God, Jesus Christ, and heaven itself as we walk here on this earth.

“This world is not my home, I’m just a-passin’ through...”

Much of Peter’s letter is about how we are to conduct ourself and live as aliens, strangers, and pilgrims -

We are to abstain from fleshly lusts -

1 Peter 2:11–12 NASB95

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Peter describes some of those fleshly appetites -

Social drinking and drunkenness, recreational drugs and other behaviors modify our behavior and thoughts. They lower our inhibitions. They prevent us from being sober-minded.

We must also recognize our responsibilities here on earth:

We are to submit to earthly authorities, like governments, when they do not prevent us from obeying God -

Remember that we are citizens of the kingdom of heaven; earthly politics and even this nation are just temporary.

We are to love and honor all people -

We are to fear God -

We should work hard -

We might work for a terrible, immoral person—but we are to still be people of good judgment and character.

We are to be committed to teaching our spouse -

We are to be devoted spouses and honor them -

Our task is to live in harmony with others, showing love and sympathy, brotherly kindness, and humility -

We are to refrain from engaging in verbal warfare; when someone stirs up drama, we do not (and should not) have to engage -

In fact, we are to seek harmony, not division -

Are you ready to give an account before the One who will judge us? -

Temporary People Are the Chosen Ones

When we hear of the problem of people who are left homeless, our hearts break and we feel moved to try and offer help and relief.

In one sense, we are homeless here on the earth—at least, we don’t have a permanent structure.

Our pilgrimage requires us to “live in tents” -

Hebrews 11:9 NASB95

9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;

However, viewing our life through the lens of “living in tents” should not cause us to think we are neglected, undervalued, or underprivileged.

Peter’s language in this letter actually reflects that believers in Christ are of immense value .

Aliens are “chosen” or “elect” - ,

We are more valuable than gold or silver - , ,

We are choice/elect and precious in God’s sight -

We are a chosen race of people -

Simply because this world is not our home does not mean that we do not have a home or a place that is ours.

Jesus left this world to prepare a place for us where we can dwell with Him -

John 14:1–3 NASB95

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

We can see the extent of God’s love and choice of us -

God knew beforehand He would have a special people.

Not Calvinistic predestination of electing particular individuals to salvation and others to damnation.

But that through the Messiah, God would have people set aside that would live in His image, serving and glorifying Him.

This was according to God’s foreknowledge and plan.

Sanctification is done through the work of the Spirit. We are called to be saints, sanctified, or set apart from the world. Our conduct is to be holy and distinct from the world. That is accomplished through the gospel and the Spirit’s work to reveal the message of Christ - ,

Obedience to Jesus Christ our King.

Our life is to ultimately be characterized by obedience to Jesus.

Everything in our life goes back to our submission and willingness to do what the gospel of Christ proclaims and tells us to do.

Christians are a prized possession for God. Even though we may abstain from what this world offers and we may battle the issue of “being left out,” we need to realize that we are pilgrims, passing through this world going to our home in heaven.

Conclusion:

As God’s possession, He will save us and grant us a home in heaven -

We must remain faithful to Him; that means we must always live as aliens and pilgrims. We cannot become overly attached to this world.

Discipleship is a call to separate from this world and live for God -

Peter’s message is a call to be a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ -