Stranger Things

[1] Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

[2] Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

1 Peter 1:1-2 (KJV)

There are several references to the believers in the New Testament. The Apostle Peter in his introduction to his letter used one of those reference words. He addressed his letter to a certain group of people that he calls ‘strangers’. We are sure he is referring to believers because, in the very next verse, he refers to those same people as those who are ‘elect according to the foreknowledge of God’.

What does he mean by this? Why does he refer to the Elect as strangers?

In his second epistle, he goes on to call them pilgrims and strangers. It’s an interesting definition the Apostle places on the believer. He speaks from a place of separation.

This follows the theme in his letter. It was an epistle that deals with the experience of suffering of a believer based on his status as a believer and his allegiance to the Faith. And it seems that from the standpoint of the Apostle, the way to go through suffering for the believer, is with the mindset of a stranger.

The believer in the estimation of the Apostle is a stranger of the Earth and a citizen of Heaven. This makes a world of difference. It follows that a component of the pain of suffering is derived from our attachment to the Earth and the things thereof. It is one of the pressure points of the afflictions of the devil, he magnifies the things of earth and makes us feel that the loss of them is a loss that we can’t bear or deal with.

This would ordinarily be true, if we were citizens of the earth, but, Glory to God, as the elect of God we are citizens of Heaven. The things of earth have lost their appeal and their grip on us.

[32] But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

[33] Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

[34] For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.

Hebrews 10:32-34 (KJV)

This puts into perspective all that I have been trying to say. These believers (we know they are believers because he is referring to events happening after they were illuminated) took joyfully the spoiling of their goods not because the goods were cheap or useless, but rather, they responded from a knowing. They knew in themselves that they had a better and enduring substance in heaven.

This is the crux of the matter; the believer is portrayed as a ‘stranger’. The things of the earth, are esteemed by him as ephemeral and perishable, therefore he is better able to endure suffering. He sees from the perspective of heaven, his homeland and he can count the loss of things of the earth joyfully.

Have you realized that you are a stranger on the earth? Have you armed yourself with this mindset? It will bring perspective to your experiences – especially your trials of afflictions.