Exiles in the World 

   “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the world.” (1 Peter 2: 11) 

   We are exiles in a sinful world, tempted by Satan to love the desires of this world.  Even in the Church there are those who fall prey to Satan’s ways, wishing to conform the Church to the world rather than to God.

   We are a minority in this world.  While other serve themselves and their own desires we talk of the love of God and serving Him.  We strive to avoid the fleshly pleasures of this world, seeking eternal happiness in the next.  We draw our strength from God and our friends in Christ rather than from bank accounts and self-importance.

   We don’t wish to be shunned or ostracized for our faith.  Yet Jesus suffered these things.  Those He came to save rejected and abandoned Him.  Those who should have recognized Him demanded His crucifixion rather than risk their position in the Jewish community.

   Some in the Church seem to want to become more tolerant toward of the world at large, even to the point of accepting practices that are abhorrent to scripture and a Christian way of life.  Tolerance of others may be a good thing, but acceptance, and even approval, of sinful behavior is a disgrace.  For church leaders to reject the teachings of Christ to satisfy societal whims not only risks their own condemnation but mislead and harm those who look to them for guidance.  Maybe they are more concerned with the people’s donations than with their souls.

   One day we will no longer be exiles.  We will leave this world behind and journey to the paradise God has prepared for those who believe.  Until then we must live in a way that lets us say, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4: 7). 

We live in a sinful world.

Strengthen us to reject it.

Fill us with the Holy Spirit

That we may serve only You. 

Amen