Read I Peter 1:17-21
“Since you call on a father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.” (v17)
Some Thoughts…
Peter calls us to a life of a “resident alien” – we are “in” the world but no longer “o”f the world because of our rebirth into the Family of God – “In spite of their humanness, Christians are “extra-terrestrials” at heart. Or better, they are “neo-terrestrials”, representatives of a new humanity in Jesus Christ.” (Edmond Clowney).
And, the great apostle breaks down the why, how, and what it means to “live as strangers here.”
Why?(v 17) We have a new Father that is all-powerful and all knowing and is impartial to Judge each person…His Judgment is my constant reminder that He cares. He cares about what I do, what I say and what I think… My salvation is sealed by the blood of Jesus, but my choice of actions in life are not…that is my choice – God calls me to live as a stranger to the ways of living that most find very familiar…and the reason is simple. His ways are different (holy) and He calls me to be like Him – for His glory and the salvation of those around me. (See Ephesians 2:1 ff, I Corinthians 3:11-15, Ecclesiastes 11:9)
How? (v 17b-20) I am to live life in the tension of what seems like polar opposites – in fear of God’s wrath and yet at the same time at peace in the face of God’s love (expressed in Jesus voluntary sacrifice for me – see Philippians 2:5-11)… I never for a moment take for granted the power and wrath of God. Like handling fireworks, I respect the destructive power of what is awe-inspiring when handled correctly. I fear a Mighty Maker who calls me son and tells me to call Him Father, and I love a humble Savior who took on Himself my pain and punishment…and I live in the last times like there will not be another day. I love God and love people because I can see clearly (as best I can in my humanity) the power that He has and the desperation of those living comfortably at home where now I find myself feeling much more like an outsider or foreigner.
What?(v 18) 1) From what am I a stranger? From an earthly way of living that seeks self-fulfillment over truth and looks to make my own ways work over and against the higher ways of God…my “faith-fathers” have passed them down to me, but now I am calling on a greater Father – my Maker (see 1 John 2:15-17, Colossians 3, 1 Peter 2:11-12). 2) To what am I now a citizen? My name is written on a doorpost in a place I’ve never been, yet I feel its beckoning call. A home where God dwells in His fullness…no more need for faith or hope because I’ll see and feel and rest there…but for now I lean heavily toward faith and hope that rest solely on the shoulders of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
A Prayer…
Father, help me live today as a stranger – a sojourner making my way home. Amen.