Strangers & Pilgrims Sojourning in a Strange Land

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." —I Peter 2:11 [KJV]  

The soul of every disciple of Jesus is most dearly beloved by the holy Trinity. It is a precious jewel in the eyes of the loving Father, the redeeming Son, and the sanctifying Spirit; who all unite to make it happy. But it hath a world of enemies. Yea, it is at present in the closest and nearest relation to one of its greatest foes, the flesh; the lust and desires of which are at continual war against the peace, comfort, and welfare of the soul. Therefore, O Christian, thy best friend sounds an alarm of love, gives thee a dehortation [Dissuasion; advice or counsel] of kindness: "Abstain from fleshly lusts." He knows what great hurt compliance with and indulgence in them will do thee; thou wilt surely smart and be sorely grieved for it. Destroy thee, they shall not; but distress thee, like the prevailings of a bitter enemy, they will. Consider, beloved Christians, we are strangers and pilgrims, sojourning and passing through a strange land and foreign country; our clothing is, Christ and His righteousness; our food, Christ and His fulness; our staff, Christ, and His promises; our rule, the word of Christ; our guide, the Spirit of Christ; the place whither we are bound, is heaven, a better country, our Father's house, the inheritance of our friends and brethren.  

Settle this in your minds. Meditate daily on your calling, your hope, your heaven, where your treasure is. Where should your affections and delight be? Not on earth, this is not your rest, it is polluted; not in the flesh, this is to be denied, motions abstained from, its lusts and affections crucified daily. Know the flesh as thine enemy, treat it as such, keep it under; in it "dwells no good thing"—its lustings and desires cannot but be evil continually—they will never cease to oppose the spirit, the life and liberty of thy soul; they are ever at war against the peace, consolation, and joy, which is in Christ Jesus. Daily victory is joyful triumph. Therefore ever consider the need of following this advice: "Put on the whole armour of God."—Ephesians 6:11. Feeling foes within, and being at war against them, is a sure evidence of a good soldier of Jesus Christ. "Fight the good fight of faith."  

This life's a dream, an empty show; But the bright world to which I go, Hath joys substantial and sincere: When shall I wake and find me there?  

O glorious hour! O blest abode! I shall be near and like my God, And flesh and sin no more control The sacred pleasures of the soul.  

My flesh shall slumber in the ground. Till the last trumpet's joyful sound; Then burst the chains, with sweet surprise, And in my Saviour's image rise. 

-William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.) 


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