I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 1 Peter 1:1b
Have you ever walked into a room and thought, "I don't belong here?" I remember starting a brand-new high school in 10th grade and feeling as if I did not belong. After all, the students in my class had already formed friendships, established extra-curricular activities, and made a name for themselves at their school. I was the "new kid," and I did not belong. Maybe you can relate to that feeling. The truth is, because we are followers of Christ, Scripture teaches us that none of us belong here on earth. This world is not our home.
Peter began writing the book of 1 Peter by reminding readers that this earth is not their home. As he began his letter, he wrote, “I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (verse 1). Paul was writing to Jewish people who had scattered because they were fleeing persecution because of their faith. They were quite literally not in their earthly homes. They were also not at their final, eternal home. Jesus said it to His followers this way in John 15, “You are no longer part of this world. I chose you to come out of this world” (verse 19). His disciples were not made for this world. They were created to follow Jesus and spend eternity with Him. Just like His disciples, we were not made for this world. We were made for eternity with Christ, and because of that, we will always be strangers in this world because this world is not our home.
When was the last time you thought about the fact that this world is not your home? It is easy to become so caught up in this world and the things of this world that we start behaving as if this world is our home. In reality, we are living for something far greater than what this world has to offer: Christ and His kingdom.
On a sheet of notebook paper, write down John 15:19. After writing down the verse, write down the sentence, "This world is not my home." Next, write a prayer to God. Thank Him that He created you to spend eternity with Him forever, and ask Him to help you live knowing that you were not made for this world.
John 15:18-27
18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. 22 They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. 24 If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. 25 This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’
26 “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. 27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.
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