Exiles: In the World but Not of It

As Christians, Peter reminds us that we are “foreigners and exiles” (1 Pet. 2:10–12). That means while we live in this world, our true citizenship is in heaven. The question then becomes: how should we live as those who are in the world but not conformed to it?

In my last post, we reflected on our first principle of living as exiles: remembering whose we are. We belong to the Lord, set apart for His purposes, and we are on a journey toward our promised future.

This week, let’s look at our second principle: we are in the world to demonstrate God’s love, but we are not of the world—we do not conform to its values.

We are in the world to demonstrate God’s love, but we are not of the world—we do not conform to its values

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for His disciples. He said that because they had received God’s word, the world hated them. Yet He did not ask the Father to take the disciples out of the world. Instead, He prayed: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world…that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:11–21) In other words, Jesus intentionally placed His people in the world so that through their lives, others would come to believe.

Two powerful examples of this principle are Daniel and Esther. Both lived as exiles in foreign lands. Both rose to positions of influence. And both faced moments where their faith was tested.

• Daniel was promoted to second in command under King Darius. Yet when a law forbade worshiping anyone but the king for 30 days, Daniel remained faithful to God. He didn’t compromise his devotion, even though it meant being thrown into the lions’ den (Daniel 6).

• Esther became queen of Persia, the wife of the most powerful ruler of her day. When Mordecai urged her to risk her life to save the Jews, she could have chosen silence. Instead, she stepped forward in courage, declaring, “If I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).

  
  

Both Daniel and Esther lived in the world and blessed those around them, yet they refused to let the world’s values live in them.

Peter gives us the same charge:

“Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God…Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” (1 Pet. 2:10–12)

Like Daniel and Esther, we are called to guard our hearts from loving worldly things. We are pilgrims, shining God’s light in dark places, blessing those around us through integrity, love, and holiness. When we live distinctly as God’s people, the world takes notice. Daniel’s faith led kings to acknowledge the living God. Esther’s courage preserved an entire nation. Who might God reach through your faithfulness?

As exiles, we are not merely surviving in this world—we are witnesses of God’s truth and love on a journey to a better country—a heavenly one (Heb. 11:13-16)!

Study through the Psalms with Nancy's Bible study guide...The Psalms of the Bible: Being refreshed and strengthened through the Psalms.