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| Volume 25 Number 7 July 2023 |
Page 14 |
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| Volume 25 Number 7 July 2023 |
Page 14 |
Roger Wright
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied” (1 Peter 1:1-2 NKJV). The apostle Peter opened his first epistle to Jews who had been scattered throughout the Roman Empire and called them “pilgrims.” Pilgrims are displaced persons. They are strangers, sojourning in a land that is foreign to them. They are away from the home they love and from the place where they truly belong.
Christians, too, are pilgrims, sojourning in a strange land. We often sing the song by Albert Brumley, “This world is not my home. I’m just a passing thru.” Paul wrote, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). Our real home and citizenship is in Heaven. We live and work in the world with a view to going home with Jesus when He comes back for us.
Since we are going home with the Lord someday, we must take care not to get too attached to this world. The Lord has created for us a beautiful world in which to live, work and grow. Yet, this is not our permanent station. Our place in this world only lasts for a few years (contrasted with eternity with God). If we lose our focus on eternal things and give ourselves over to the things of this world, we lose out. Jesus asked, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
Our wise and powerful Heavenly Father is able to provide all we need so that we can seek His kingdom instead of this world. Jesus instructed, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:33-34).
Right now, we must work, watch, wait and warn but never waver. We must be true to our Lord and Savior and never give up on Him, His holy Word, His body the church and our work as advocates for Him in this wicked world. Our job is to be holy, faithful and ever seeking to take others home with us when Jesus comes again. We are God’s elect pilgrims, just passing through.
