1st Peter 1:1. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,” STRANGERS. I guess we Christians don’t fit very well In a society with the world as its goal What gives believers joy and motivation Doesn’t seem to satisfy a worldling’s soul We talk the same language but to a different drummer We march and sing a different tune Most around us expect to be here a long time We strangers expect to be leaving soon Around me people strive for more and better Measuring meaning in life by success Strangers to the world-system only really want To be involved in what God is able to bless
To folks living around me the best a person can do Is to be available to be a friend to those in need We who are “strangers” from God’s kingdom Our “best” is to the Word of God to give heed To neighbors and friends around where I live What makes them happy is to have fun together To those who are in God’s kingdom our joy is to see Them truly repent and the finally call God their “Father” A work of God’s grace in one’s soul changes That person’s life to look forward to life in heaven Others think all is well they’re “good people” They don’t think they need to be forgiven.
It’s not just here, it is the same wherever Kingdom people live and their testimony is found Even though they lived there all their lives Those who are saved and heaven bound Are still considered there to be odd strangers
On some kind of an unusual mission We are living here temporarily and are not asking Nor seeking some kind of a high worldly position So, they are polite and often very nice But almost all want to keep their distance Because living for an absent unseen Master Requires an on-going consistent persistence.
To know God’s will we follow His daily guidance By reading through His Word on a daily basis And committing oneself to friendship is secondary To be willing to do all God says A stranger I will remain though in daily contact With those who are in these nations all around Hoping and praying that some Gospel seed Will fall and remain on fallow ground And bring forth much fruit when seed germinates So that fruit will fully develop and remain Producing a friendship of those in God’s family Former strangers, now God’s children we believe the same.
“Father God, I know I am not well accepted as a companion of those who are around. They are polite and kind but want to keep their distance because they know Linda and I are involved in the work of the kingdom of God. I thank Thee that there is enough of a difference in us that people can see it. May we be always committed to our heavenly calling. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”