Anchor Devotional

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Aliens in This World

“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11

Our son’s family moved from Michigan to Texas, and our granddaughter’s new classmates warmly welcomed her. But one student asked her, “Do they have TV up there?” We all got a kick out of that comment!

Later it reminded me of how Christians are like aliens in a foreign land. Peter said we’re a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. If you communicate this to the average nonbeliever, I guarantee they will see you as a stranger in this world.

But as such, we’re to live differently from others. “I urge you … to … live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:11-12).

Have you ever been accused of being peculiar? Has your Christian lifestyle drawn enough attention to warrant criticism? If no one’s thought you strange, it may be time to examine your life and witness. If you’ve been persecuted or harassed because of your faith, praise God! After all, this world is not your home.

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
1 Peter 2:1-12

INSIGHT
“Oh! to be like Thee …/ Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;/ Come in … Thy fullness;/ Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.” (ThomasO. Chisholm, 1897)

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Jeremiah 37-38
Psalm 120
1 Corinthians 14

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