Peter's Pen 1st Peter 1:1 (b)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,   (1Pe 1:1)

“Exiles”

Παρεπίδημος;  parepidēmos

Thayer Definition:

1) one who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to reside there by the side of the natives

2) a stranger

3) sojourning in a strange place, a foreigner

4) in the NT metaphorically in reference to heaven as the native country, one who sojourns on earth

Now this is interesting.  The word “exiles” usually makes us think of a people who have been forced out of their home country into another.  I prefer the words stranger or sojourner.  It is absolutely possible that some of the folks to whom the letter was written were forced out of their home countries or provinces.  But Peter is telling us something very important here.

Let me start in a strange place.

These 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. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.   (Heb 11:13-16)

The writer here is telling us that even those who had faith in Christ (the Messiah) before He came considered themselves “strangers and exiles” on the earth.  For them, home wasn’t here.

Now before we get too weird let’s get a perspective.  There are two “kingdoms.”  There is the Kingdom of God and the Not Kingdom of God (some call it the Kingdom of Man).  By God’s grace we are:

fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,   (Eph 2:19)

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He has delivered us from the domain of darkness

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  (Col 1:13-14)

Citizenship always has its opportunities and obligations.  As citizens of the Kingdom of God our opportunities can be summed up in our being God’s workers, His lights, His representatives here and now.  Our obligations are summed up in our submission to God as our Sovereign.

For many of us, the idea of having a Sovereign or King is unusual and maybe uncomfortable.  We are used to participating in our governance, having a “say.”  So coming to grips with serving an absolute Monarch is outside our experience.  It’s a new thing and one in which we are going to struggle – but He knows that.

One of the verses that I use to help me keep my submission to Him in focus is the following:

Do not love the world

or the things in the world.

If anyone loves the world,

the love of the Father is not in him.   (1Jn 2:15)

This verse helps me remember that my affections, my commitment is not “to” this world but “to” Him.  Though I live here, my affections and my loyalty are first and foremost with Him.  This is not an easy thing and it is normal for us to have to work on it.  I use the following verses to help me in keeping my loyalty where it is best placed:

For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.   (1Jn 2:16-17)

Like those folks we read of in Hebrews, I work on looking to a better country, His Kingdom.  I don’t always do it well but with His grace and mercies and my brothers and sisters I keep plugging away.

I know many of you struggle with this, too.  James tells us that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.  The Spirit, Prayer, the Word, Worship and Fellowship are His provisions for us in this.  The more we take advantage of these opportunities the more we will long for our entrance into that Kingdom not made with hands – His Kingdom.