Living as Strangers: Our Identity in Christ

In the first Epistle of Peter, chapter 2, verses 11 and 12, we are reminded of our identity as strangers and pilgrims in this world. This identity calls us to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul and to live honorably among non-believers. The essence of this message is that as Christians, we are called to live in a way that reflects our status as God's people, distinct from the world around us. This distinction is not just for our benefit but also serves as a testimony to others, leading them to glorify God. [00:00:11]

The foundation of our confidence and joy, even in the face of adversity, is our faith in Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone. This faith assures us that we will never be confounded, regardless of the circumstances. The promises of God are reserved for His people, those who have undergone a profound transformation through rebirth and regeneration. This transformation is not self-induced but is a divine act where God imparts new life and adopts us into His family. [00:01:02]

As Christians, we are called to live lives that are visibly different from those around us. This difference is not just internal but is recognized by others, often leading to misunderstanding and persecution. However, this persecution is a testament to our faith and a confirmation of our identity as God's people. Our lives should be marked by a focus on the soul's centrality, recognizing its supreme importance over all earthly pursuits. [00:20:14]

Our relationship with the world is transformed; we are no longer of it but are pilgrims journeying towards a new world, a new creation where righteousness dwells. This perspective allows us to live with hope and assurance, knowing that our ultimate home is with God. Our lives should be lived with an eye towards God's glory, seeking to please Him and to be a witness to others, drawing them to the truth of the gospel. [00:28:29]

The secret of it all according to this statement is this: this is only true of those who are the people of God. People of God, he says here, which in time past were not the people but are now the people of God. That's the whole secret. Everything that is Promised in the Bible is only promised to those who are the people of God. [00:03:49]

To become a Christian, to become one of the people of God, means that God has to perform an operation in our souls which is called this rebirth or regeneration. It's his action. We can't do it. None of us ever give birth to ourselves. No man has ever made himself a Christian or produced himself as a Christian. [00:06:25]

The moment a man becomes a Christian, those who are not Christian know that something's happened to him. That's his proposition, and it's absolutely true. There was an old Puritan who lived about 300 years ago. He put this very well, I always think. He said the moment a man becomes a Christian, he said everybody else knows that it's happened to him. [00:13:18]

The Christian is a man who can respond to that appeal. Why? Well, because of the centrality of the soul in his whole outlook. What do I mean? Well, I mean this: it means in the first place that he's aware of the fact that he's got a soul, and that's a tremendous thing. You see, the trouble with the world is that it doesn't know that it's got a soul. [00:28:29]

The Christian is a man who's come to know that this world, as the Apostle Paul puts it in writing to the Galatians, is this present evil world. He knows it's a fallen world. It's a world that's gone wrong. It's a world that is under the curse of God, not the blessing of God. God made a perfect world so that it was good. [00:46:29]

The Christian belief is that this present evil world is going to be judged, it's going to be destroyed, but afterwards, there shall be a new heavens and a new Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. He knows that a glorious world is coming that's going to be a stable World. There'll be no war in that world, there'll be no sorrow, there'll be no sin. [00:49:45]

The Christian is a man who's concerned about those who are not Christian. He sees them apparently enjoying themselves. He knows it's a kind of drunkenness, drunken intellectually. He sees the he knows it's all going to come to a terrible end, a horrible cataclysm that will smash everything, and they'll have nothing on which to rest. [00:51:00]

The Christian knows that a day is coming when at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven and things on earth and things under the Earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father. He knows that the day is coming when they'll have to admit it. [00:52:00]