1 Pe 2:11-12
Sojourner is a word that I seldom use. The dictionary states it means "to stay as a temporary resident". Exile means "the state or a period of forced (or voluntary) absence from one's country or home". So we are to consider ourselves to be only temporary residents who are living a forced absence from our home. We might even be considered migrant workers, people who left their home to travel somewhere to work. I don't think of myself this way often enough. How about you?
11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
- How much do you feel at home in this world?
- How strong is your desire to get back to your homeland?
- How does your desire to fit in here compare with your desire for heaven? - Why did Peter use such strong terms when describing problems with the flesh?
- What imagery comes to mind when you read "wage war"?
- How do passions of the flesh wage war against the soul? - Why are you to have good behavior?
- How do you feel when you realize that it is important what non-Christians see in you?
- How do non-Christians slander Christians as evildoers today?
- When will your good deeds before non-Christians produce their results?
- How does doing things for God's glory compare with doing things for yours?
Sojourner is a word that I seldom use. The dictionary states it means "to stay as a temporary resident". Exile means "the state or a period of forced (or voluntary) absence from one's country or home". So we are to consider ourselves to be only temporary residents who are living a forced absence from our home. We might even be considered migrant workers, people who left their home to travel somewhere to work. I don't think of myself this way often enough. How about you?
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