Living as Strangers in the World - 1 Peter 2

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: Living as Strangers in a World That Feels Foreign

Today, we’re going to be talking about “Living as Strangers in the World.” Have you ever felt like you were a stranger to the world around you? Reading and watching the news, we wonder what’s going on. Many of the things that people believe and practice are completely foreign to us as believers.

It’s as if we are visitors to this planet from another realm. Jesus said in …

John 17:16 (ESV) They [His followers] are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

As believers, we are not of this world. When we speak of the world, we are not just speaking of planet earth. The world is this broken planet and the people living here that are not following Jesus. God created people to live with Him in a perfect garden, the garden of Eden.

But because of sin, this world is no longer a perfect garden, so we live as strangers here.

Hebrews 11:13 (ESV) These [Old Testament believers] all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Our hearts yearn to live in a place where there is no sin or violence, but only love. Love for one another and living with a loving God. Since we are not there yet, we live as strangers and exiles on the earth.

So, where is our home and when will we get there?

Philippians 3:20 (ESV) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Our home, our citizenship is in heaven, that is the realm we long to be in. When Jesus returns from heaven, He will transform this world into a new heavens and a new earth. That is what we long for and where we will live forever.

Until then, we live as strangers and exiles on this earth, working to bring as many people as possible with us to live forever in the new heavens and new earth. Today, we’re gong to talk not so much about eternity, but about living as strangers in the here and now.

Embrace Our Identity as God’s People

1 Peter 2:11 (ESV) Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Peter is writing in his letter to believers, who he calls sojourners and exiles. A sojourner is someone who stays somewhere temporarily. An exile is someone not living in their native country. Believers are part of God’s people who are temporarily living in the world.

We are living as exiles from our native country, the kingdom of God. While we are here, we are involved in an invisible war zone. The combatants are not people, but the angelic armies of God and the demonic armies of Satan. Peter warns us to not give in to the temptations of Satan that appeal to the lusts of the flesh.

Rather, we are to …

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV) 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.

The Gentiles that Peter mentions here refers to unbelievers. What do unbelievers do to believers under the control of demonic powers? Unbelievers speak against believers and call them evildoers, even though the very opposite is true.

Satan loves to call the good evil and evil good. How should we respond to these false accusations? We ought to continue to do good deeds and live honorable lives. God can use our loving deeds to turn unbelievers from their evil ways to God.

As strangers in the world we must embrace our identity as God’s people.

Seeing the World Through God’s Redemptive Lens

Our world today is increasingly filled with falsehoods and sinful behavior of all kinds. Our temptation as believers is to get angry or anxious about the sin around us. Or we are tempted to lower God’s standards for our lives so that we fit in with the world.

Neither response is what we should do as the people of God. Rather we must view unbelievers living in all kinds of evil and delusions, not as our enemies, but as people trapped in Satan’s web of lies. We are to treat those who wrongly call us evil doers with love, praying for and with them to see the light of the Gospel.

Those who see homosexuality, abortion, sexual perversion, transsexuality of all kinds are to be treated with love and by speaking the truth. When speaking the truth about how God created male and female, we may be labeled as evildoers. Yet, by speaking the truth on love, we will win many to leave the realm of darkness and come into God’s kingdom of light.

That is how we embrace our identity as God’s people.

Respect Authority

1 Peter 2:13–14 (ESV) Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

As strangers living in this world, how are we to live with authority? We are to be subject to authority or governments as established by God. What does God say that legitimate governments supposed to do?

Legitimate authority is established by God for two things. First to punish those who do evil and secondly to praise those who do good. The government today is moving more and more to praising those who do evil and punishing those who do good.

The Bible makes it clear that we must not be subject to government mandates that praise evil and punish good.

1 Peter 2:15–17 (ESV) For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

As believers, we first of all respect God’s will and authority. We are to do good, which will quiet foolish people who accuse believers of evil. We are to live as servants of God, honoring people and honoring our leaders.

We honor our leaders as they carry out their God-given mandate. We do not approve or obey them when they do not follow God’s will.

What about authority in business?

1 Peter 2:18–20 (ESV) Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.

Slavery was common in Bible days. Servants were to be obedient to their masters. Not just the good, but the unjust. Servants were to obey their masters, unless the orders were contrary to God’s Word.

The same is true of working in a business today. We are to respect and follow the instructions of those above us, unless it would cause us to sin against God. There are times when we may suffer for the good that we do.

But God will honor and bless you with His grace as you put Him first in your life.

Living Faithfully Under Imperfect Leadership

As our government and business leaders move further away from God’s Word, these Scriptures are wonderful guidelines for us to follow. We must remember that as believers, we are always accountable to God as our highest authority. If an earthly authority commands us to do something against God’s will, we must not follow that command.

In so doing, we may suffer in different ways, but in the end God will bless you. If we disobey earthly authority and perhaps get a ticket for speeding, that is not suffering for Jesus. But if you stand up for God’s Word in the workplace and refuse to do something wrong, God will take care of you as you put Him first.

As we live as strangers, we must respect the authorities in our world.

Follow Christ’s Example in Suffering

1 Peter 2:21–23 (ESV) For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

Peter than calls us to look at Christ’s example of suffering in life. Jesus lived a perfect life, yet He suffered much verbal abuse, culminating in His crucifixion. How did Jesus respond when people mistreated and tortured Him?

He did not take revenge, He did not threaten, He did not blame God. Jesus simply entrusted His life and well-being to His heavenly father. Jesus is the example that we must follow when we encounter the inevitable suffering we will experience as strangers in this world.

1 Peter 2:24–25 (ESV) He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus’ suffering on the cross paid the penalty for our sins. He made it possible for us to be forgiven and to live a righteous live. The wounds that He suffered on the cross made available healing for us.

Healing for our bodies, our minds and our souls. Jesus’ suffering made a way for each of us like lost sheep to find a way to Jesus as our shepherd. He will guide and guard us through our journey as strangers in this world.

He will sustain us even in the midst of suffering. And one day, He will bring us into His presence where there is no more suffering only joy. When we go through tough times and suffering, we must learn to follow Jesus’ example.

Trusting God Through Pain and Trial

Why did Jesus suffer in His life in this world? Jesus suffered because demonic forces used evil people to try to destroy Him. Yet, Jesus was not destroyed, but rose again and defeated Satan.

In the world that we live in suffering is inevitable, because of evil in the world. The sin of Adam and Eve in the garden unleashed the power of darkness into our world. Suffering can be caused by health issues, mistreatment by others, mental issues, relationship difficulties and on and on.

God can and will use suffering to draw us closer to Himself. We come to God to receive the strength to keep on living for Him in the midst of suffering. We come to God to receive healing of the things that come against us.

And one day, Jesus will lead each of us into His presence in heaven when all suffering will be over. May God help us to follow Christ’s example in suffering.

Conclusion: Passing Through With Eternal Purpose

God’s Word today has given us a comprehensive guide on how to live as Christians in a world that often is foreign to our values. We are to live as strangers and exiles in a world that is not our permanent home. We are called to abstain from sin, practice good deeds, respect authority and following Jesus’ example in all of our lives.

Remember that this life in this world is not all there is. We are citizens of the kingdom of God that is going to last forever. This world is not our home, we’re just passing through.

May each of us bring as many people as possible with us to the new heavens and new earth, our eternal home.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

Looking for community?
Join a Life Group and grow in your faith with others walking the same path.