1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
What an intriguing verse! After speaking to his readers about their status as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, and a people having received mercy, the next verse calls something else as well as to us to an unconventional means of living.
To begin with, we are called “aliens and strangers.” Both of these words have the idea that we are living along side of those who land and culture is not like our own. We are resident aliens. This world and its ways are not to be “comfortable” and “customary” to us. As Philippians 3:20 reminds us –
Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…
My cares and concerns are to be first and foremost for the kingdom, the rule, the government of God. As our Lord Jesus said,
Matthew 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
But what is it that gets in the way of having such a focus or concern? The answer is found in 1 Peter 2:11 as we are called to “abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” We must “abstain” – a word which means “holding oneself off” from “fleshly lusts.” The phrase “fleshy lusts” is not simply a reference to sexual sin, although it includes it, but speaks of any pursuit of life that pictures a person as belonging to this world, making them “not strangers and aliens.” We are not to be those who spend all their time and employ all their skill in acquiring earthly possessions while neglecting the salvation of their souls. Such persons are not strangers but rather they are at home with the things of this earth. Thus, they are not pilgrims; they are seeking an earthly possession. Our reminder here is that heaven is our home, and we are to be storing up our treasures there, seeking God is our portion.
And isn’t that the war? The battle between filling our hearts and minds with the amusements of this world as opposed to filling them with God’s Word and God’s ways? We will so quickly spend much time in matters and pursuits that have absolutely no impact for eternity while we struggle with ten minutes in prayer. I am not saying that all things of this earth are to be avoided; however we are called here to remove ourselves from those things that cause us to neglect our souls, to forsake time with God, to have disregard for God’s people. When we have to fight with ourselves to do what is good and right with our souls in favor of some earthly pursuit, then we are losing the war. From such things we are to actively fight and abstain. Remember the admonition of Galatians 6:9
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary .
Let us labor, let us strive, and let us agonize to deny self, pick up our cross daily, and follow Christ. While it takes much effort, there is joy and great reward in such a pursuit.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Ed
Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.
What an intriguing verse! After speaking to his readers about their status as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, and a people having received mercy, the next verse calls something else as well as to us to an unconventional means of living.
To begin with, we are called “aliens and strangers.” Both of these words have the idea that we are living along side of those who land and culture is not like our own. We are resident aliens. This world and its ways are not to be “comfortable” and “customary” to us. As Philippians 3:20 reminds us –
Philippians 3:20
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…
My cares and concerns are to be first and foremost for the kingdom, the rule, the government of God. As our Lord Jesus said,
Matthew 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
But what is it that gets in the way of having such a focus or concern? The answer is found in 1 Peter 2:11 as we are called to “abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” We must “abstain” – a word which means “holding oneself off” from “fleshly lusts.” The phrase “fleshy lusts” is not simply a reference to sexual sin, although it includes it, but speaks of any pursuit of life that pictures a person as belonging to this world, making them “not strangers and aliens.” We are not to be those who spend all their time and employ all their skill in acquiring earthly possessions while neglecting the salvation of their souls. Such persons are not strangers but rather they are at home with the things of this earth. Thus, they are not pilgrims; they are seeking an earthly possession. Our reminder here is that heaven is our home, and we are to be storing up our treasures there, seeking God is our portion.
And isn’t that the war? The battle between filling our hearts and minds with the amusements of this world as opposed to filling them with God’s Word and God’s ways? We will so quickly spend much time in matters and pursuits that have absolutely no impact for eternity while we struggle with ten minutes in prayer. I am not saying that all things of this earth are to be avoided; however we are called here to remove ourselves from those things that cause us to neglect our souls, to forsake time with God, to have disregard for God’s people. When we have to fight with ourselves to do what is good and right with our souls in favor of some earthly pursuit, then we are losing the war. From such things we are to actively fight and abstain. Remember the admonition of Galatians 6:9
Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary .
Let us labor, let us strive, and let us agonize to deny self, pick up our cross daily, and follow Christ. While it takes much effort, there is joy and great reward in such a pursuit.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Ed
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