". . . I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world . . . Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
alien: a person from another country who has not acquired naturalization.
stranger: an outsider
In the natural, America is the one, true land of aliens and strangers. We were settled by aliens and strangers. My grandparents were aliens and strangers. My mother is a first-generation American. My grandparents settled in a community made up of mostly their own ethnic group. Because they were "outsiders", they banded together with others of "like mind" for comfort, safety, and fellowship. They didn't feel quite so alone with others of the "old country" near them. They grew strong and flourished because of the continual interaction with others of their own ethnicity. They kept to their own communities because it was safe, they were accepted, and they could pretty much enjoy a life of peace and contentment with hard work. New York City is a great example of this with all of their diverse, ethnic neighborhoods and the rivalry that goes with it.
In our Christian walk, we are people of the Spirit living in the natural. We are aliens, outsiders. We don't fit the mold of the world. Our lifestyle is contrary to that of non-Christians. We gather into our own small communities for fellowship, strengthening, comfort, safety. We call these communities churches.
America today has never known spiritual persecution. Ridicule yes, persecution no. We've never been driven from our homes and cities. We've never had to go underground to worship. We've never known the fear of death for our faith. We are wrapped in a cocoon, insulated from the harshest realities.
Peter was encouraging the early Christians during the Diaspora to ". . . lead such good lives among the pagans . . . " that in spite of everything, God would be glorified. If this was the call to Christian life during one of the most horrendous periods of persecution in the Church, how much more so should we today be following this practice? We have nothing to hinder us, but us! We are our own worst enemy.
We are citizens of heaven!!! Our first and foremost allegiance, the loyalty of a citizen to his or her government or of a subject to his or her sovereign, is to Almighty God . I pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ, King of my homeland, the yearning of my heart, the desire of my soul. Our loyalty must be to God's truth, His way of life, and His people. For a Christian to do less is to indulge his ego at the expense of his soul. Is it worth it?
The way we live our lives reveals how we feel about Jesus Christ. Is the world seeing you in such a light, that in spite of all the earthly clamor, they give glory to God because of you?
"Lord Jesus, you are my King forever. To you I pledge my life. Use me, Jesus, in such a way that others will see Your Glory and come to know you as Savior and Master. Help me to live my life in such a way that others will praise Your Name for what they see and hear. I ask in Your Name. Amen."
SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES:
Matthew 5:16
Romans 12:12
1 Timothy 5:10
6:18
2 Timothy 1:3
3 John 1:5
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