Aliens in a Strange World
We live in a culture today that is significantly different than it was 200 years ago. Even 50 years ago it was significantly different. As disciples of Christ, is the church different? Are we as believers, trying to fit in with a culture that is diametrically opposed to what we are supposed to be?
1 Peter 2:9-12
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 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.
NIV
How many of you ever visited or vacationed in a foreign country outside North America?
You’ll relate to this very well.
Believers in Christ are aliens in this world. It is difficult for us to fit into a world that by and large is out of touch with God. We have different values and priorities than the world.
We are aliens in a strange land. We don’t speak the native language. We don’t understand the culture or participate in the traditions. We don’t fit in. As an alien in a strange land we feel awkward and out of touch with the surroundings.
What makes Christians alien to the world?
I. The Believer holds to a different culture. (Gal. 5 – fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control)
a. Christians should have a desire to help and respect others
b. The world is self-centered “all about me”
II. The Believer speaks a different language (James 3:10 – we cannot speak both praise and cursing at the same time)
a. Believers speak about love, serving and blessing
b. The world speaks of hate, taking and cursing, lies (John 8:44 – lies are the native tongue of the devil)
III. The Believer has a different Daddy (Gal. 3:26 Gal 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus)
a. We are part of the family of God
b. The world has Satan as their father (John 8 – those that believe in Christ are of the father, those that do not love Him are of the devil)
IV. The Believer has a different home
a. Heaven (I Thess. Ch. 4 – the resurrection of the believer)
b. Hell (Mt. 13 – those that do evil will be thrown into the fiery furnace where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth)
Conclusion: As you look at yourself in the mirror in the morning, are you trying to fit in by giving in to sin and worldly lusts? Or, are you living such good lives that the world sees your deeds and seeks to know where you’re coming from?
Celebrate your differences. God has made you uniquely different. You are not native to this world anymore.
