Aliens
Do you ever feel like no matter how many “friends” you have, you always feel weird or out of place? Do you ever get the feeling that you do not belong around a certain group of people even though they are your “friends”? Do you ever feel lonely even though you are surrounded by “friends”?
If you are saved, do you ever notice that you have lost friends or all of a sudden people seem to act differently around you? Do you ever feel like an ALIEN? Strange right? An alien? You are not an alien! You are not from another planet or another galaxy! You are not a Martian from Planet Mars!
You may not be an alien from another planet or galaxy that flies around in a UFO, but you are an alien. What do I mean by that? According to the following scripture, God’s people should feel out of place like strangers or aliens like they don’t belong.
“I am a stranger of Earth” (Psalms 119:19a KJV)
Peter describes Christians as “aliens” and “strangers” in the world. Peter reminds us that God’s elect are strangers in the world, who have been chosen (I Peter 1:1, 2 KJV). Now being God’s chosen does not make us immune to life’s difficulties, but it is our security in life’s storms.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (I Peter 2:9 KJV)
“because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (I Peter 1:16 KJV)
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2 KJV)
Since we belong to God, we should live for him.
“Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which was against the soul;” (I Peter 2: 11 KJV)
We should learn to stay away from the sinful desires that war against our souls. God tells us to “abstain from sinful desires.” He does not want us to lose the battle for our souls.
Beloved by God, we are aliens and strangers on this Earth, which is for now under the dominion of the evil one. So, we are not just strangers but we are on enemy turf. Our identity is not based on this world’s standard but from our relationship with God and His people.
The reason why children of God are out of sync with this world is because they are special objects of God’s redeeming love in Christ. This has reference to someone who is a temporary resident or a traveler in a foreign country passing through on his way to his home country.
And speaking of travelers; a traveler does not live according to the customs and standards of the foreign country. For the purpose of not offending the locals; he will temporarily adopt some of their customs. As citizens of Heaven, we can adopt some of the ways of Earth in order not to offend the natives. But we live according to different standards.
As followers of Jesus, we do not really belong here nor do we fit in. If we have the Holy Ghost living within us, He’s there to change us. When Jesus saves us, He is not done with us.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6 KJV)
When Jesus saves us, that is not the end. We are a work a in progress. The moment we repent of our sins and receive God’s salvation, the Holy Ghost comes to live in our hearts. The Holy Ghost comes to take up residence in our hearts. He lives inside us and will let us know when we get out of line. He convicts us of sin and works on us from the inside out to make us more like Jesus. God’s purpose for our lives:
If we are obedient to the Holy Ghost, we are more like Jesus today than we were yesterday. The way we become more like Jesus is that we can see personality traits of Jesus in you such as; love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
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