NOT OF THE WORLD
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
One of the definitions of the word translated as sojourners in our theme scripture is to live in a place without rights of a citizen. In other words what Peter is saying to us is implying that though we are in the world we ought not to act as if we are of it.
Where men serve with ulterior motives, we serve as unto God. Where men give because they will get, we give of the abundance of His fullness in us. Where men groom gifts and possessions for their own gain, we steward for all things belong to God. You that has been harvested and is living in the hope of eternity has for responsibility to uphold that same banner of love that drew you from darkness into light, that those still bound in sin and darkness may covet the spirit at work in you. That is why our Lord Jesus said, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men to my self ().
Child of God, we have been made kings and priests unto God. You are that message, you are one with the Christ that is lifted and when you magnify his work and life in you through obedience, you demonstrate an honorable conduct and the gentiles come to your rising. Be therefore not ashamed of the gospel, do good even when you expect nothing in return, love those that hate you, pour out what you too have received freely and always stand ready to give an answer for the hope you have, and do so with respect. Hallelujah !
Prayer: Father I thank you for this truth. I live as a sojourner and a pilgrim on the earth because my home is with you in your Kingdom. While I am here, I exercise my self in the measure of the grace accorded me that your Gospel may be made plain through Christ in whom I live. I am your sacrifice, that my worship may be complete lacking nothing, in Jesus’name.
CI.
