Together in Christ: 'Just Passing Through!' — 1 Peter 2:11-12

Sunday, March 10, 2024

Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

— 1 Peter 2:11-12 NLT

Key Thought

I grew up singing "This World Is Not My Home," an old hymn that started like this:

This world is not my home. I'm just a-passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.

Peter reminds us as followers of Jesus that just as Jesus wasn't of this world, neither are we. [1] We are "temporary residents and foreigners"  [2] while on earth. While we are here, we must not get too attached to the world. [3] Instead, Jesus sent us on His mission into the world to lead the lost to Him. [4] Our lives should be an ongoing testimony to Jesus and His way of life. [5] We live with intention and care, knowing that our lives are an influence on unbelievers. [6] We live so that our unbelieving friends, neighbors, and acquaintances notice our differences from the rest of the world. We pray they will turn and follow Jesus before the Lord returns. [7] We are not of the world, yet we want our friends in the world to come to know Jesus. For this to happen, our lives must be lived intentionally and lovingly before them!

[1] John 17:6, 15-19, 18:36.
[2] 1 Peter 2:11.
[3] Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15-17.
[4] Matthew 28:18-20; John 20:19-23; 1 Peter 3:15-17.
[5] Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:15; Titus 2:8.
[6] Matthew 5:13-17.
[7] Philippians 2:15; Titus 2:8.

Today's Prayer

O, Father, please make my life count and use my influence to bless those around me. Help me today, and each day, influence someone to come closer to Jesus, in Whose name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 17:1-19
  • Matthew 28:18-20; John 20:19-23; Acts 1:1-8

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Illustration

Illustration of 1 Peter 2:11-12 NLT — Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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