Strangers and Aliens

Mark Dunagan
11/13/16 - Sunday Morning

Strangers and Aliens

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.
To those who reside as aliens, scattered
throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
who are chosen" (1 Peter 1:1).

"Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers
to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11).

 

“As aliens”: If you are a believer in this dark work, you are, in fact, a temporary resident, stranger, or foreigner. This world is not your home (Phil. 3:20-21; Matt. 6:19-20). You are a “Stranger”. You are “away from one’s own people” (Vine, p. 183).

What is Not Meant

So does our sojourning here require a complete withdrawal and detachment from society or that we should live a life of isolation like a hermit? Absolutely not. The same Bible that reminds believers of their pilgrim status also reminds us to be lights to the world to unbelievers observing our walk with God. (Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Peter 2:12 "as they observe them"). We are instructed to be very involved in helping others (Galatians 6:10 "Let us do good to all people"). In the Old Testament when the nation of Israel found themselves in a strange land, the remnant was told "Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce, take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for our sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf" (Jeremiah 29:5-7). Clearly the Bible paints a picture of  believers who may have unbelieving bosses or are dealing with suppressive government regulations and officials (1 Peter 2:13,18) and in all kinds of situations where unbelievers are able to observe their godly words and behavior on a regular basis (1 Peter 3:16), and as a result of these observations, unbelievers are prompted to ask believers about their hope (1 Peter 3:15).

Detachment

When the believer observes the darkness around them it is tempting to want to detach emotionally from the problems of this world. Yet I don't find believers in the past doing that: Daniel was very concerned about what happened to the kings under which he served (Daniel 4:19). Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Paul wept at the thought of former believers and others who were presently enemies of God (Philippians 3:18).

That being said, there is one sense in which the Christian does practice a certain form of detachment: If others do not follow God, that does not change my decision or commitment to continue to following Him (Joshua 24:15). If others cease to be faithful, I will still be faithful (2 Timothy 4:10). I will refuse to allow others to discourage or frighten me from loving God (1 Peter 3:14). I will stay on the narrow path even if it seems rather lonely at times and although the broad way seems incredibly packed and popular. I will not give up even when ridiculed (1 Peter 4:4).

"I Don't Fit In"

This feeling doesn't bother the mature Christian. We experience an unshakable, deep peace knowing we are strangers and aliens in this world, so much so that a failure to fit in, rather than indicating that something is wrong with us, instead becomes more confirmation of that we are, for awhile, surrounded by some very strange, dark and sinful, attitudes and customs. 

A Different Language

"They are from the world; therefore they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them" (1 John 4:5). "And there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting" (Ephesians 5:4).  "Let no unwholesome world proceed from your mouth" (Ephesians 4:29). "From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way" (James 3:9). In overhearing a conversation involving believers there will be a complete absence of profanity. In addition, we just talk remarkably differently. For example, a Christian husband or wife talks quite differently about the opposite sex, the marriage covenant and the person to whom they are married. Instead of put downs or cutting remarks there is warmth, respect and honor (1 Peter 3:7). Gossip is not found in the conversations of believers, nor slander or deceit.

A Different Fear

In the Bible often believers are spoken of as those who fear God. Contrary to a common misunderstanding, this is not just an Old Testament reality, it is also true in the New Testament. Jesus Himself spoke of the need to fear God (Matthew 10:28), and the apostles repeatedly reinforced the same truth (2 Corinthians 5:11; 7:1; 1 Peter 2:17). Centuries ago, God speaking through Jeremiah told His people:

"Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens although the nations are terrified by them; for the customs of the peoples are delusion" (Jeremiah 10:2-3). In a similar vein Jesus said, "Do not worry then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things" (Matthew 6:31-32). Clearly, the world in which believers find themselves tenting, is a very fearful world – a world that is constantly worrying about the economy, popularity, consequences of their sins catching up to them, and their own mortality. God frees the believer from the burden of all these distressful obsessions. In the Old Testament and throughout history, superstitious nations were constantly worried about such things as the position of various stars and planets or not angering this false god or that, and yet while preoccupied with all these fears, they forgot about the one thing that was most to be feared: being in a peace-filled, close relationship with the one true Creator of heaven and earth. 

A Different Power

In the world we are faced with two equally wrong extremes related to power. Some constantly talk about what they can't do. They can't change; they can't help themselves; they can't get a break.  Others are overconfident and boast that they can do anything. Neither is accurate. The believer realizes that without God we can accomplish nothing that is of eternal significance (John 15:5). At the same time, with God what might have seemed far beyond one's ability, now, through His strength, becomes within reach (Ephesians 3:20). Thus, we don't talk like the world when it comes to dealing with temptation. We know that we can live differently, and that living a godly life is a very realistic expectation (1 Peter 1:14) our Father expects of us. 

What is Strange

The world that we live in is so messed up and confused at times that they think that the Christian is weird for not living a life of sinful excess (1 Peter 4:3-4). And yet, how does this make sense?:

1. Seeing the amazing design in the universe but choosing to think, for the first and only time in history, that such unspeakable, unfathomable, perfect wisdom, far beyond the wisdom that created computers, that this creation just happened by accident (Psalm 19:1) and that by spontaneous generation everything popped itself into existence. That such beautiful exactness, on a million different "canvasses" had no Creator or Designer.
2. Not thoroughly considering and exploring the evidence of, much less making any real plans for an eternity in the next world (Luke 12:21). 
3. Seeing that sowing to the flesh does catch up in remarkably painful ways, yet repeated trying to convince oneself that this time it will not (Galatians 6:7).
4. Putting all one's effort into acquiring wealth in this life, when everyone, even atheists acknowledge we can't take anything with us (Matthew 6:19-20).
5. Seeing the misery of people who selfishly live for themselves, but thinking that putting ourselves first will result in happiness, or at least will have no negative impact upon our relationships. Giving ourselves over to lusts and sinful cravings time after time when those very lusts fail to make us truly or deeply happy (Titus 3:3).

The words God chose as descriptive designations for his beloved children, alien and strangers, is an indictment against all who want the Church to change with the times and alternate/accommodate its teachings to the present culture. The faithful in past ages have always had a sojourner attitude (Hebrews 11:10-16). God’s people have always needed to guard themselves against becoming like the unbelieving cultures surrounding them (Lev. 18:3; Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15; James 4:4). To live like a sojourner, one must think like one – that is, our entire heart and mind must be focused on our true home of heaven (Colossians 3:-12; Matthew 6:21). Christian, I challenge you to represent well your homeland.

Mark Dunagan | mdunagan@frontier.net
Beaverton Church of Christ | 503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net