Wednesday in Easter Week

1 Peter 2:11-25; Luke 24:13-53

We’re Only Visiting This Planet

That’s what we are – sojourners and exiles.  We could also use the words, pilgrims, strangers, and aliens.  Peter addressed this letter at the beginning to the “elect exiles of the dispersion,” referring to our chosen-ness (elect), our belonging to another world (exiles), and our being scattered over this world (dispersion).  The obvious message is that we do not belong to this world; that we are in it, but not of it.  This is truly a radical way of thinking of ourselves, and if we were to adopt this mindset, I think it would make radical changes in the way we live.  This is not our home; we are just passing through.  All that we have is temporary.  Jesus Christ has made us aliens here because our real citizenship is in heaven with him (Philippians 3:20).  We are not looking to an earthly city, for we desire a heavenly one whose Maker and Builder is God (Hebrews 11:10-16).

And if this be the way with us, if we indeed be aliens as we walk upon this earth, then how shall we live while we are here?  Peter again shows us the way.  In relation to ourselves, we must “abstain from the passions of the flesh which make war against your soul.”  We must bring these minds and bodies of ours under the dominion of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), for he is our Lord and Master.  If people condemn us, let them do so falsely, and let our lives condemn their lies.  As for rulers and governors, we must obey until their words compromise our faith in Christ (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29).  In this way, we show that being citizens of heaven makes us model citizens on earth.  As slaves should submit to masters, so employees should submit to employers, for the Christian is not first and foremost obsessed with his rights but about being a witness for Christ.  If he must suffer for being a Christian, so be it.  If he is reviled and beaten for being a Christian, this is all the more reason to rejoice since such suffering places him in the company of his Master who “suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you might follow in his steps.”

We can’t do this on our own, but only through the power of the Holy Spirit.  But it begins with the acknowledgement that nothing that we have here ultimately means anything compared with Christ.  If we’re just passing through, and this world is passing away (1 Corinthians 7:31; 1 John 2:17), then we can endure all things for him who endured all things for us.

Author: The Reformed Baptist

My name is Stephen Taylor, ordained Baptist minister of eighteen years pastoral experience with a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Better than that, I am married to a godly woman, Karla, who has been very patient with me since 1989. I have two daughters, both of whom I homeschooled for extended periods of time, who became godly young women, and who ran off and married godly young men, all of which is very proper. The oldest daughter has even seen fit to bless me with a grandson and a granddaughter, and my youngest daughter with a grandson, all three of whom are bundles of exceeding joy. As you can see, I am quite blessed. This website is dedicated to helping people grow in the wisdom and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through the gift of writing that the Lord has given to me. It is specifically about helping His people grow in godliness, the theme you see repeated above. I write devotions with this aim and hope that they might be of some help to God’s people. Full disclosure: I am of a Reformed bent, meaning that my understanding of Scripture is primarily informed by the Reformers and their successors of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. However, as a student of church history and theology, I strive to remain true to that teaching handed down once for all unto the saints through every age of the Church. I like to think of myself as a “catholic” Christian, as the Reformers thought of themselves. At any rate, feel free to read, pray, and contact me if you wish, or correct me if need be. As you can see, I tend to follow the church year. Of course, I make no special claims about these devotions. I know very well that others have written better and plumbed the depths of God’s word with greater insight. But if my musings help someone draw closer to the Lord, well then, I have my reward. Blessings to you and may the God and Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ speak to you that word which He knows you especially need to hear. Grace & peace, Stephen Taylor View all posts by The Reformed Baptist