A Plea for Pilgrims – audio

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Text: 1 Peter 2:11-12: “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.”

Peter makes a few important observations to Christians:

1. We are sojourners and pilgrims!

As the song goes, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing thro’…” Even though we are in the world, we are not of the world (John 15:19; 17:14-16). Paul proclaimed that his citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

2. We must abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul!

John similarly warns Christians about worldly lusts (lust of flesh, lust of eyes, and pride of life). They are not of God; rather they are of the world. Just as sojourners and pilgrims do not stay in one place forever, the world and its lusts will not last forever (1 John 2:15-17). The body and soul are always at war, as Paul could tell you (Romans 7; Philippians 1:21-30).

3. Our conduct must be honorable!

As Paul told the Philippians to let their conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so Peter says it should be honorable among the Gentiles. We should be “blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).” Jesus Christ is a light to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32), and the whole world (John 8:12; 12:46). As Jesus is our example (1 Peter 2:21), we too are lights in the world (Matthew 5:14-16).

4. Others will speak against us as evildoers!

Many spoke against Christ, His disciples, and the early Christians; they will speak against us too!

5. Others may glorify God by observing our good works!

As we shine our lights (Matthew 5:16), people know we are not of the world but of Christ. As we follow His example, they can follow our example and bring all glory to God (Luke 5:25; 17:15; 18:43).