Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. – 1 Peter 2:11
My 9-year old niece Kayla spent two weeks of her summer vacation with our family. Two days into her stay, she told me “I don’t think I can stay here another day because it doesn’t feel like home!” After regaining my composure, I said “It doesn’t feel like home because it is not your home. But, while you are here, be on your best behavior.”
In I Peter 2:11, Christians are likened to aliens and strangers in the world. Simply put, this world is not a Christian’s home. Christians are also urged to abstain from and deny ourselves of sinful desires, our own self-indulgent urges. Jesus said that he was in this world, but not of the world. (John 17). He showed us that we don’t have to adapt to, or embrace worldly methods.
Does the world look at you as though you come from another planet? Do you stand out in the crowd? Does the world look at you strange because your beliefs, morals, and values do not mirror theirs?
Peter reminds us of the clarion call of God, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Carrying a Holy Bible does not make you holy. To be holy is to be set apart by God for God. Holiness is living a lifestyle pleasing to God. Our daily behavior- the things we do, say and think- must glorify God.
As Christians, we are not to allow ourselves to be comfortable in this world, for it is not our home. But while we are here, let’s be on our best behavior.
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