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In Other Words….
A homespun paraphrase of 1 Peter 1:1-16. Think about it.
Peter’s letter to those who reside as aliens, strangers, and pilgrims
Aliens are not part of society
Aliens are outsiders
Aliens have a different loyalty and home association
To reside as an alien is to be apart, separate.
It’s to be within but have no commonality among those they live, to stand out obviously
The aliens were chosen by God by the separating work of the spirit to be those who obey Jesus Christ.
Aliens have been chosen to be separate by God
Aliens have been chosen to obey Jesus Christ
Separated aliens are attached to God through His mercy to be born again, dead to our old loyalties and pursuits raised to be children of a different Kingdom. As aliens here, our new life is possible through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead so that we will obtain our inheritance in our new country, God’s Kingdom, which is undefiled (opposite of here) and reserved, waiting for us.
We as aliens are protected by the power of God through our faith for the consummation, the reuniting of our true country with our true brethren and our true King, awaiting our salvation from this homesick existence in this decay and death.
We are Looking forward, keeping our eyes on the prize, the imminent rescue, we rejoice, even though it’s difficult residing as an alien because of trials and difficulties.
Trials prove our faith, prove if we are truly aliens, prove we are looking for the Promised Land or are just trying to integrate here; trying to fit in. Faith, like gold, when tested by fire, removes impurities as well as reveals the true metal, the true beauty of our calling to be separated to God as aliens in the world.
This successful proving of our faith results in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus is revealed.
This tested faith proves our praise to Him. It gives Him glory, and honors Him as King over His people.
Jesus relates the same to His people, His aliens; He gives praise, glory and honor.
The people of God, His aliens here, do not walk by sight, are not led by pragmatism, but our belief is equal to our obedience. We as aliens rejoice in this truth with inexpressible joy because we don’t see here, but look there, to our goal, our country of God.
The outcome of our tested faith, our unseeing obedience, our life as outcasts and aliens, is the salvation of our souls, our adoption as sons and daughters, our being brought home to our real country.
Because of this, be alert; be prepared, keep self controlled, keep yourself under reign. Affix yourself tenaciously, your hope completely, on this undeserved gift to be brought to you when Jesus is finally revealed. As obedient children don’t quit being aliens in the world, don’t be degraded by the passions that comprise of decay and death, but be separated from the world, the culture, the entertainments, the sin, separate from everything that is here in the world that takes our eyes and loyalty off of God, for it is written, “You shall be separated to me for I am separate.”
Dennis