April 26

Moments with God, April 26

1 Peter 2:11 (KJ21) Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul….

Many years ago, after one of our trips to the Grand Canyon, Wayne and I decided to go to California via Las Vegas. We were traveling at night, and, because Vegas never sleeps, we were able to see its lights from miles and miles away. We found a cheap room and hit the strip. I had never seen so many forms of gambling in my life. Shows featuring nude dancers, vulgar acts, and unfettered speech greeting us constantly. The temptations were strong, and we realized that if we were not careful, this could be the end of our trip. Therefore, we set aside a small amount of money with which to gamble, took advantage of the low-cost meals, and avoided the shows. After all, we were just passing through.

Peter’s words seem to contradict our lives. Our small town is my home. It contains my friends, provides a good job, and enables me to enjoy life. Nevertheless, Peter tells us that we are strangers in this world. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we become strangers to this world because its ways are not the Lord’s ways. As we traverse this world, it will recognize us as followers of Christ because our actions go against the world’s beliefs. Thus, we are strangers. A pilgrim is defined as “a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons” and as “one who wanders.” Despite the lure of Las Vegas, Wayne and I knew that we were strangers and only passing through. Thus, we were not going to fall prey to its lures and temptations. Truly, we are pilgrims who are journeying through this world on our way to be with the Lord Jesus. Consequently, Peter urges us not to embrace this world because its lusts, truths, and direction will war against the Spirit in us. Just as Vegas was one stop on our true journey, so this world is but one stop on our way to an eternity with Jesus.