1 Peter 2:11-12: Why Sojourners Act:
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
After Peter explains who believers are, [1] he instructs them on how to act. When Christians or non-Christians read these verses they might be tempted to think this is just another “to do list.” Why does Peter require believers to act like people who do not belong to the world, i.e. act “as sojourners and exiles”? Scripture provides several reasons for Christian character which include: witnessing to the unsaved and saved, [2] following God’s ways combat the sin trying to take believers, [3] and because Christ-like behavior glorifies God. [4]
While there are other reasons, perhaps the most important is because Jesus Christ lived a God glorifying life. [5] The Son lived righteously even when people wronged him, [6] and his righteous life insures salvation and the ability to grow in holiness for those who follow him. [7] So for those of us who are sojourners, we strive for godliness because of Jesus Christ. Living in Christ-likeness is possible for all who trust in Him exclusively. The gift for following Him and living by His Spirit as we grow in holiness is eternal joy in heaven. [8] May we all begin to sojourn better in Him.
This blog was written by Seth Dunn
[1] 1 Peter 2:9-10 (see also blog on the passage).
[2] 1 Peter 3:16; Titus 2:8; Philippians 2:15; 2 Corinthians 9:13.
[3] Romans 7:23, 8:13, Galatians 5:16-17 and 24.
[4] Matthew 5:16, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Colossians 3:17, etc.
[5] Matthew 9:8, John 13:31, the book of Hebrews.
[6] John 18:30, Luke 23:34, Matthew 26-27.
[7] Luke 24:44-49; Hebrews 8-10, John 14:26, etc.
[8] 1 John 2:1-25.