Living in Exile

The Apostle Peter writes,

“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear” (1 Peter 1:17).

Many of us here in the United States feel as though we woke up one day in a foreign country with the seemingly overnight transformation of our nation.

There is undoubtedly much to pray for in that regard societally; however, amidst the cultural chaos, there is a spiritual truth being reinforced.

Our temporary physical surroundings are serving to remind us of an eternal spiritual reality: at salvation we become citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven (Phil. 3:20), longing for our heavenly home (2 Cor. 5:2) and often, like Lot, distressed by the depraved conduct around us (2 Pet. 2:7).

Spurgeon’s comments are helpful in our efforts to live righteously as salt and light in the world (Luke 14:34-35; Matt. 5:14-16):

“You are only here for a while, you are sojourners, foreigners, pilgrims passing through a country where you have no abiding place; be therefore careful and even fearful lest you should become like the people among whom you dwell, have a holy dread of the contaminations of sin: ‘Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:’ Not in unbelieving fear, but in that holy carefulness which watches against sin of every kind lest in any way you should spoil your holy work for God.”

Carry on amidst the chaos…in holy carefulness, prayerful dependence, and heavenly expectancy!

PS: If you’re looking for further encouragement in your journey as a pilgrim, I highly recommend The New Pilgrim’s Progress, which features the late Warren Wiersbe’s study notes.