I Peter 2:11 (AB)
Beloved, I implore you as aliens and
strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the
evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war
against the soul.
The word “implore” is translated from the
Greek word “parakaleo” that has a sense of urgency to Peter’s beloved
(Christian) brothers and sisters.
Parakaleo also translates as “beg”, “beseech”, and “exhort”; in fact the
two parts of this verb literally mean, “to call to one’s side” as a father or
mother will do with a child with whom a strong talk is needed. The urgency is to remind a Christian that
your soul constantly wages war against evil in the form of forbidden desires,
fleshly passions, and whatever is anti-God in our lives. The world and its value system promotes all
these evil things that the faithful Christian is not to take part of or
in. Since you are to be separated from
the world (I John 2:15-17), you cannot allow sensual urges to be part of your
character. Yet, you know that sensual
urges are extremely strong and they can easily overwhelm and overtake you if
you let down your defenses with respect to the filling of the Holy Spirit in
your life. The word “church” (Greek:
ekklesia) literally means “called out” so as a member of Christ’s church, you
are by definition separated from this world.
That’s why Peter calls Christians
(“beloved”) aliens, strangers, and exiles in this world. Were you aware that with respect to all that
goes on in this world, you are viewed by God as an alien, stranger, and
exile? The best description of the
balance that a Christian should achieve by needing to live in this world yet
not be influenced by its values is found in James 1:27. Look this up and meditate on it. This verse is commonly called the principle
of involvement (help others in need) and separation (keep yourself
unaffected---unstained---by the world).
The main reason that Christians are called
aliens and strangers and exiles (also other translations use words like
pilgrims, foreigners, and sojourners) in this world is the fact that your true
home is in heaven, not here.
Christian
singers Degarmo and Key recorded a song called “Aliens and Strangers”[1]. Listen to the song, and reflect on their
lyrics. What do you think that they mean
by “My closest friends are aliens and strangers, travelers here, living with
danger”?
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