Living in a Hostile World
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 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. 1 Peter 2:11-12
The text before us begins with “Dearly beloved,” and so we might immediately think we are at a wedding. It comes from the Greek word ἀγαπητός / agapētos and can mean a host of words that you already have in your mind – “dear, beloved, loved, well loved, cherished, precious and adored.” Based on its appearance in the Bible, it is one of God’s names for His own, appearing 62 times in the New Testament.
God never calls the unsaved by this title. In fact, it is one of the ways that God makes a clear distinction between those who will spend eternity in Hell and those who will be in Heaven. Of course, the unsaved world, including all the apostate churches, hate this distinction and deny its existence. “A loving God would never send anyone to Hell.” The place of our final existence is based on the relationship each person has to Jesus Christ Jesus. It is urgent that we understand, everyone is not going to Heaven when they die, regardless of how many unsaved pastors have referred to the departed as such. Again, God’s Word makes a very clear distinction between sheep and goats (Matthew 25:32).
The two verses of our text are a single paragraph giving us what we need to live in a hostile world as strangers and pilgrims: that is what we are as Christians.
Strangers – an alien resident, foreigner or sojourner.
Pilgrims – This is also recognized as an alien or foreigner with one difference. This is a person who is a “RESIDENT” alien or foreigner, someone who lives next door or in the same city.
Both strangers and pilgrims can refer to someone (Christians) who are IN this world, but no longer OF this world. We are citizens of Heaven, our eternal dwelling place.
Many Christians struggle with this concept because the world tries to force us into its mold. Examples:
- A sheriff in Atlanta was fired because of a statement he made about homosexuals in his Sunday School Class.
- A number of florists and bakery personnel have either had their work place closed down or are required to pay heavy fines because as Christians, they refused to supply flowers or wedding cakes for homosexual weddings.
- Daily, there are roughly 15 Christians martyred in our world simply for being a Christian.
- Christians have been called bigots, racists, hate mongers and several other names by high political figures for holding to the principles of God’s Word.
- A Christian teacher in a public school is under fire currently because he will not stand watch in a girls shower room where there are transgenders. Some teachers have been fired for refusing to keep watch of nude young ladies. Their cases are in court right now.
There are many similar things going on every single day in America and in our world. The reality is that strangers and pilgrims are not welcomed any longer in our society. Christians are a minority on the earth, which is to say that we do not belong down here. So how is it that God wants us to live in our hostile world.
First: Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. Fleshly lusts include any fleshly desires that war against or damage our souls, speaking of that which is forbidden. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and MAKE NOT PROVISION FOR THE FLESH, to fulfill the lusts thereof (Romans 13:14). Once we have been placed IN CHRIST, the flesh has been crucified (Galatians 5:24) and we are exhorted to live this way by not walking according to the course of this world (Ephesians 2:1-3) but walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
There are Christians who have the idea that they can think whatever they want to think or do as they please in matters of separation from the world and unto God. This certainly will be fine for those who are not saved, but not for those who belong to Christ (I Corinthians 6:19, 20). Those who truly love the Lord and keep their focus on Him will be automatically separating themselves from worldly enticements. For those who do not grow in their relationship with Christ and continue on with this kind of attitude, there will be divine chastening in order to draw them close to the Lord.
Second: Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles. The word “conversation” can mean “manner of life, conduct,” referring to your lifestyle. The word “Gentiles” is a reminder that as Christians, we are merely strangers and pilgrims in this world. Again, we are in the world but not of the world. We do not run with the herd, but that does not mean we hide ourselves in some isolated place, shut off from the world.
Reality Check: Whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. We should expect this to take place. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said, In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). We ought to praise God and as Jesus stated, “be of good cheer,” for it confirms who we are in Christ Jesus. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you (John 15:18). Our testimony before those who want nothing to do with Christ is very important. This is why we are let our light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
If our lifestyle is what it ought to be and If we remain faithful to Christ, there will be some unsaved people who will open to our testimony and to being the instrument the Holy Spirit will use in leading them to Christ.
The “Day of Visitation” can refer to any day the Lord draws near to a person, either in judgment or in grace. It can be a time of great financial loss, a terrible traffic accident, a serious operation or some bitter disappointment whereby they call upon the name of the Lord and are finally saved. That is when they will remember your good works.
In Luke 19:41-44, Jesus spoke of a day of visitation that would result in the destruction of Jerusalem. It will be a day of eternal destruction for all who reject Christ in this life. Your testimony will come back before those who perish eternally with regrets that they did not listen to the Gospel when they had the opportunity. We must recognize that it is our good works that speak volumes to the unsaved and open doors for us to be able to share Christ.
I grieve over two different “Christian” men who walked out on their wives and children. Satan rejoices and the unsaved see no reason for becoming a Christian when they see Christians in sin. The unsaved are always looking for hypocrisy in our lives. WE MUST WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY for it just might be that some watching us will be saved.
George Stiekes serves as a Lay Pastor at Bethany Bible Church in Hendersonville, NC. See here for a more complete bio of brother Stiekes extensive ministry. We republish his material by permission.