Strangers & Pilgrims

Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11).

We have here an address or salutation from Peter. He is turning to a new subject from that of vs.1-10. He addresses us as dearly beloved which is a warm greeting of sincere fellowship. This is also the case often of God to us. He continues his statement with I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims. The word beseech means desire or to exhort. He desires us to know and understand especially as strangers and pilgrims. This is in accordance with 1 Peter 1:1, but is also true of our present position as Christians in this world. We are not, although we are born and live and make our temporary home here, residents of the world. Why? Because we have been redeemed by Jesus Christ. This may seem strange to a good many of you; however, let me give you some scriptural support.

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son. (Colossians 1:12,13)

Do you feel comfortable here? Do you see all the world system as a good thing? Do you find yourself indifferent to the ways of the world? Pray that you would not. Have ever been on a long trip and had the desires to return home? This is how we should feel for Heaven. This world has nothing to offer don't get used to it! We are the remnant we are pilgrims in this world.

We're told to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. To abstain is to refrain from, or to hold one's self off from. What are we to abstain from? Fleshly lusts. This is not only speaking about sexual lust, although it's included, but fleshly lust. This means "carnal" or anything that is opposed to the things of the Spirit. To "lust" means a strong desire for something; weather good or bad. "Lust" in scripture almost always means bad.

Why are we to abstain? Because, not only is it for Holiness and a desire of obedience, but because it war(s) against the soul. We are given some help in this area from Galatians 5:16,17.

[This] I say then, Walk in 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: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Understand we're in a struggle, a fight, between our sinful nature and our Spiritual nature. Naturally, that is our true self, does not have a desire to pray, read, or worship. They are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. This war will continue until we are in the very presence of Christ. We're told to abstain from those things that war with our Spiritual life. This can only be done by prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship with God. When you come to a lustful desire or temptation and then give in to it you let the evil one win, but when faced with those things and do not give in the victory goes to Christ!

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation (2:12).

The word conversation means behavior or conduct. Much of Christian behavior today is not very honest; this is a sign to unbelievers of no credence. The last part of verse twelve has a couple of interpretations. One, it's speaking about the "second coming" and says that at the return of Christ these gentiles will "glorify God." However, this seems to be contradictory for at the return of Christ these gentiles, if they remain unbelievers, will not glorify God for our works but tremble in terror!

The Second, is that at the time of "their" conversion they will recall the good works of those they despised and turn and glorify God. This seems to be the most probable, and keeps in accord with Luke 19:44.

"And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation."

We are given in 1 Peter 2:13-17 exhortation to "submission to ordinances" we must look at this carefully for a cursory reading can result in a less than true meaning.

"Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme." (2:13)

We are told to submit it also means to be subject to every ordinance. The word ordinance in Greek is ktisis which literally is creation; however, that word does not seem to fit. Whether it was viewed in the original as this word, or mistranslated, we are not sure, but we do know it can also mean ordinance.

We are to do this, not for the law, but for the Lord's sake. We are to never "obey" laws that are against or in violation of God's law. The Bible and history testify to this as we will see later. This is to be done from the highest whether it be to the king, as supreme this would be like a president. To the lowest or unto governors like our governors or mayors.

"Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well." (2:14)

God sets up rulers for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. Laws and ordinances must be made to "render every man according to his deeds" notice the last part of verse fourteen for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. Laws are to be made to work for this end.

Again, let me say we are never to obey any law that is contrary to God's Word. Someone may say "No, you must obey all" if someone were to say that to you how would you respond? How would you respond from Scripture? Let's look at the Scriptures to see. You may also go to our web site (www.kingshouse.org) or read the study voting? Which contains much more on this subject. If you would jot down these Scriptures and read them asking this question "What did these individuals do"? Exodus 1:15-18; Daniel 3:13-19; and Acts 4:19.

"For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." (2:15)

In following the laws that are right we do show, not only our works, but our intentions to obey are motivated by obedience to God.

"As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God." (2:16)

Even though we are set free in Christ, by His work, and declared free we must be careful not to abuse that gift. The word cloke means a means of hiding or covering. We are not to use our freedom as a means of hiding maliciousness or badness. This is stated many times as, "well, I am saved and can do what I want" or "I can sin and never lose my salvation." One may not lose his/her salvation but with that kind of thinking and practicing one will incur the judgment of God! Notice, we are to be as the servants of God. We all work well and hard for our employers but sometimes give little thought to how we serve Christ.

"Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king." (2:17)

The word honor means value. Are we to value/honor all men? That is what it says. Why? Because it is a basic command and the second law of God. Love the brotherhood this is of course the family of God this is in keeping with 1 John 3:14.

"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death."

Fear God this is a reverential fear not a fear like terror produced by guilt.

"Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward." (2:18)

The word servant in this passage is not the Greek word dulos. Rather it is like an employee. How are you at work? At home? Or the places of socializing? The goal here is your conduct may cause someone to come to Christ. This we are to do not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward The word forward means crooked or mean. In other words your attitude and actions should not be different when around the good just because they are kind.

"For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully." (2:19)

This conscience toward God means a knowing with. God says this is acceptable because you know me to endure grief and suffer, not just plain suffer, but suffering wrongfully which means undeserved.

How are we doing? Have you been suffering wrongfully because you know Christ? If not we had better examine ourselves.

"For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God." (2:20)

This is the innocent suffering for doing nothing wrong. To suffer and be beaten for something you did wrong is our punishment for that act, and to take it patiently is not acceptable because it's our crime. To suffer and be beaten, for NOT doing anything wrong, and take it patiently without any retribution is acceptable with God for this manifests the character of Jesus! But today many would run to sue or file charges. How far have we come from the idea and teaching of our Lord. To suffer wrong and not hold the person or God at fault is a step in total dependence and trust in Christ our savior.

Amen!

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