PILGRIM HEARTS ARE BLESSED (3)

"Beloved, I beg you as SOJOURNERS and PILGRIMS, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" – 1 Peter 2:11             

PILGRIM HEARTS are BLESSED with Grace to exercise Dominion over fleshly lusts: "Beloved, I beg you as SOJOURNERS and PILGRIMS, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1Pet.2:11). The subject of the Christian as a Pilgrim, which was a major theme among the early Christians, is strangely absent from most contemporary Christian platforms. The reality of life on earth is that we are passing through, journeying toward heaven. We are creatures of eternity passing through Time! We are on earth only for a short while and should cultivate the Pilgrim heart. Like most destination places, the earth is a fascinating place to visit, but we wouldn’t want to sink down roots here: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1Cor.15:19).

Being a pilgrim just isn’t the dominant model of current Christian living. The prevalent view is geared to the here and now: Enjoying marital bliss, job security, financial stability, and career elevation. All are necessary and valid, but for many people, heaven is not the focus; it’s only thrown in as a nice benefit at the end of the ride. They want to enjoy life now and cling to it for as long as possible. They wish to postpone or avoid death at all cost. But, death is the gateway to everything we’ve been living for. There’s nothing wrong and everything right about enjoying God and the blessings He freely bestows on us in this life. But if we don’t hold earthly things loosely and become focused on God Himself and being in heaven with Him, we are holding to a shallow form of Christianity.

If we’re just living for the good or prosperous life that being a Christian affords now, we wouldn’t last a minute under persecution. We wouldn’t endure trials or withstand the many temptations to indulge in fleshly desires. What can steel us to endure discipline as good soldiers of Christ and pursue holiness in this wicked world is to live as pilgrims, bound for heaven. Peter wanted his persecuted brethren to cultivate the Pilgrim heart and attitude. He implores us to remember that we are sojourners, life-pilgrims, ambassadors of the King, on the journey of life as we pass through this sin-filled world which is being deceived and manipulated by Satan.

To live as pilgrims on this earth, there is an attitude to adopt, a war to fight, a lifestyle to cultivate, and a day to remember.

Attitude or mindset to adopt: “BELOVED, I beg you as sojourners and strangers...” (v.11a). “Sojourner” and “Pilgrim” describe a temporary resident or traveller in a foreign country, passing through on his way to his home country. Such a person has a transient mentality about life than a permanent native has. A sojourner doesn’t live according to the customs and standards of the foreign country. Pilgrims don’t get attached to the country they’re passing through. They have a destination in mind, and look forward to getting there. We’re aliens and strangers on enemy turf! We live by the standards of God’s Word. Our sense of identity should not be derived from this world, but from our relationship to God and His people. We’re His Beloved; the special objects of His redeeming love in Christ. This is our motivation for living as pilgrims in the brief years here on earth.

War to fight: “Abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul” (v11b). Believers face lifelong wars against fleshly lusts – wrong sexual desires and all kinds of self-seeking for wealth, power, popularity or pleasure – that try to enslave the soul (2Cor.10:4). Satan’s treats are soul-damaging cravings and passions – lusts that feed self-life but starve one of the Bread of Life!

Lifestyle to cultivate and sustain: “Having your conduct honourable among the Gentiles” (v.12a). The pilgrim heart produces God-glorifying behaviour, conduct, and lifestyle, making strategic differences in our places of assignment in this enemy territory!

A Day to remember: “glorify God in the day of visitation” (v.2b). Pilgrim hearts keep the Great Day in view for ultimate vindication!