As Christians, we know, or should know, that this world is only our temporary residence. In (1Peter 2:1-25), the apostle speaks of many truths of how God sees His children in Christ, and how His people are to see themselves and act accordingly. Please take a moment to read and reflect on the truth contained in the passage. A proper exegetical study of these twenty-five verses could yield a thick book. Like most of the New Testament, what Peter has to say links to the Old Testament. For this writing, I will focus on the believer's citizenship.
In (Philippians 3:20), Paul is clear about our permanent address. He wrote, “But our citizenship (commonwealth: πολίτευμα) is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
From the Greek text, it appears Paul is saying the Christian’s administration and civil affairs are to be governed by Heaven. When I read passages like this, and there are many, it takes my mind to what we call the model prayer in (Matthew 6:9-13). In (v.10) of the passage, Jesus, talking about our Father, makes the statement, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s will for His people, in all ages, has been that they/we would choose to seek Him in all things and desire to walk with/in Him in all ways.
In (1 Peter 2:11), the apostle and elder reminds believers of who they/we are by using two distinct designations. He refers to them as sojourners and exiles. To the disciple familiar with the Tanakh/Tanach/Hebrew Bible, these two terms will instantly drive home the point Peter is making.
Remember, Abraham called himself “a sojourner and a foreigner” when negotiating with the Hittites for the cave of Machpelah for a burial place for Sarah. He moved through territories where he lacked the right to settle permanently. For Abraham, Canaan was a land of sojournings. God had not given him an inheritance in the promised land, but He did give it to his offspring. Abraham lived in the land as if a foreigner, living in tents, as did Issac and Jacob. In (John 8:56), Jesus, while talking with some Jews, made the following statement, “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” Because of the lack of consensus in scholarly theology, it would be fruitless to provide here the various opinions on what is meant by Jesus' statement. We may not know exactly how Abraham knew of God’s promise of salvation in Christ, but we know he knew of the Messiah and His impending arrival.
Peter’s use of (πάροικος) for sojourners and of (παρεπίδημος) for exiles can be confusing in many limited lexicons because of their similar meanings. However, we understand that, given their contexts of use, there are some stark distinctions between the two terms.
The world we live in is corrupted and destined for destruction. Look around through the eyes of scripture, and you can see why the New Testament is straightforward about the evil ruler of the present darkness. We have more than ample examples in scripture to understand the present rulership of this world. The world “lies in the power of the evil one” (1John 5:19). Satan operates as “the god of this world,” blinding minds to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). Functions as “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). As believers we encounter “the cosmic powers over the present darkness” and “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). When the Devil took Jesus up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, his boasting held weight because he possessed real power to make the offer (Luke 4:5-6).
Because of our mighty God, the devil’s authority is restricted and temporary. Jesus said that “the ruler of this world” would “be cast out” (John 12:31), declaring “the ruler of this world is judged” (John 16:11). The Messiah Himself stated that satan “has no claim on me” (John 14:30), showing that satan’s power has limitations. Paul says in (Colossians 1:13) that God “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son”, signifying that believers escape satan’s jurisdiction through redemption. Satan’s demonic role serves God’s purposes, functioning as God’s final enemy whose defeat is absolute in the day of the Lord. “Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:24–28).”
Christians are obligated to urge the captives of this world to accept the invitation of God’s Grace and seek refuge in Jesus. Being reconciled to the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit is the greatest accomplishment on earth. Showing those in darkness the Way out of this life alive by escaping the second death because of the once and for all sacrifice of Jesus our Lord, that is real success. As holy ones, our allegiance is to He who has redeemed us from a sure perpetual separation from God. It does not have to be that way; it’s a choice whether one abides in Jesus or lives according to the world. I urge my brothers and sisters to prove what is pleasing to God by offering their bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord.
One of my favorite passages about sharing the gospel of God through Jesus is (2 Timothy 4:1-4), wherein Paul is writing with an apparent sense of urgency. He writes,” I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready (in season and out of season); reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” For me, the phrase “(in season and out of season” is better understood in the Greek text. Paul is telling Timothy to preach the word when the opportunity is convenient, and if not, create the opportunity even if it’s unfavorable. That flies in the face of how many Christians view discipleship. Some Christians become uncomfortable when the word of God is referred to in a group that consists of believers, lukewarm believers, and unbelievers. It should not be that way among God’s people. His people should be joyful at the opportunity to share His truths with whoever is in earshot.
REMEMBER YOUR REAL HOME ADDRESS DAILY!
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)