1 Peter 2:11–12
Not of This World
01:59
Jesus warned His followers that the world would not be a welcoming place. “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:19). In his letters, Peter gives a similar warning: Followers of Jesus will be “foreigners and exiles” (v. 11).
Peter addresses his audience in two important ways. First, he calls them “dear friends,” this is more literally, “beloved” (v. 11). They are like family. He then calls them “foreigners and exiles” (v. 11). These believers were to think of themselves as immigrants, people who do not reside in their native country. Now, it is likely that most of Peter’s audience was composed of Jewish Christians, who were literally exiles from the land of Israel. But Peter is making a deeper point. They were not to live as if their current city or country was where they really belonged. They have an “inheritance…kept in heaven for you” (1:4).
This reminder that we belong fully to Jesus and His kingdom leads us to live differently within this world. Just as Peter’s readers were not to get their standards of behavior from the nations around them, we are to live as citizens of heaven. Our primary allegiance is not to this world, but the one to come.
We are called to live holy lives, not so we will stay out of trouble in fear. Rather, we should live well so that the world around us “may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (v. 12). Our obedience to the Lord Jesus is missional. People should be able to look at the church, see our good deeds, and be pointed to Christ.
Go Deeper
What does it look like to live a holy life in today’s culture? How does the way you live become missional?
Pray with Us
Living as citizens of heaven does not always feel easy, Father, but we desire to reflect You in every action. Give us the strength to do right, so people will glorify You.
I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.1 Peter 2:11
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