Pilgrims Of The Dispersion (1:1) - Cont.
Having defined what Peter means by "pilgrims of the dispersion," we will now turn or attention to the journey and look at some responsibilities as pilgrims. On this JOURNEY, we become like our spiritual father, Abraham. Notice He 11:8-10“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”, 13-16“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.” this is our attitude towards this life then God is not ashamed to be called our God. And we can honestly sing songs like "This World Is Not My Home"
This phrase reminds us of an important responsibility. Our responsibility as "pilgrims" is to be SEPARATE - 1 Pe 2:11-12 “Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” We may be "in the world," but we are not to be "of the world" - Jn 17:15-16 “I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.”; 2 Co 6:14-7:1 “Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” Remaining separate may cause some in the world to think we are strange, but - 1 Pe 4:3-4“For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:” Jesus said this would happen, even as it did to Him - Jn 15:18-19 “If the world hateth you, ye know that it hath hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”
Figuratively speaking, we should be like those foreign refugees now in our country who resist giving up their heritage, their language; who resist attempts to "Americanize" them and destroy their cultural traditions. Can it be said of us who are Christians, that we are keeping ourselves SEPARATE from the world? Are we steadfast in our faith or are we allowing the world to influence our speech, dress and conduct? If so, then we are no longer "pilgrims," but "naturalized citizens" of this world! Remember John's warning in 1 Jn 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
This phrase ought to remind us of our true home. Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly await our Savior - Ph 3:20-21 “For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.” We are to be looking for "a new heavens and a new earth" - 2 Pe 3:13-14 “But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight.” That is where we will find our true home, the CITY.... "which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." - He 11:10,16. That is "the one to come" - He 13:14“For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come.” The city that "comes down out of heaven from God" - Re 21:1-22:5 -- That is where we, who are now simply strangers and foreigners scattered like seed in this world, will one day be gathered together! Those who are truly "pilgrims" will think often of their true home. When we live far away from family we think often of our roots of home. And so we will think often of our heavenly home, if we are truly "pilgrims of the Dispersion"!
Are we "pilgrims of the Dispersion"? We are, if as Christians we view our life here on earth as a journey in a foreign land! We are, if we keep ourselves separate from things in the world that would lead us away from God! We are, if we view as our true home, the heavenly city God has prepared from those who confess they are strangers and pilgrims on the earth!
But you are NOT a "pilgrim of the Dispersion" if you have not yet begun your spiritual sojourn by obeying the gospel of Christ! Having done so, you allow the attractions of the world to discontinue your journey and "settle down" in things which would separate you from God! Are YOU a "pilgrim of the Dispersion"?
