“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11
There are three absolute truths in 1 Peter 2:11 that stand out to me.
- Life in this world… I am just passing through. I shouldn’t get too attached; I am a sojourner. This world is not my final destination, and it is not ultimately my home. I am an exile in this world, meaning I am out of place in this world. I am a citizen of Heaven on my way home.
- Abstinence.. 100%. It’s not what’s in style but is what’s in wisdom. Our flesh doesn’t like abstinence, it likes indulgence. The world around us encourages us to indulge. God encourages us to abstain from evil passions of the flesh. God wouldn’t tell us to do something unless it were the best thing to do.
- War.. There’s a war for your soul. If you let a part of you (your flesh) lead your life it will drag you down, beat you up, and lead you into death. It is not your friend. Jesus is your friend. Your flesh is fighting against you. Jesus is fighting for you. Join God in the battle against sin for your own good and for His glory.
This traveling man chooses purity with my passions, and therefore, peace.