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Strangers, Pilgrims, & Witnesses 1 Peter 2:11-12 -- “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” What does God mean here by calling believers “strangers and pilgrims”? The word “stranger” speaks of one who has a house in a near land. I have a place I live, but it is not the place Jesus has gone to prepare for me (John 14:2). In that near land we call Heaven Jesus has for me a prepared place, a mansion. The word “pilgrim” speaks of how the believer is a citizen of heaven but is sojourning here on this earth. I am just passing through this earth, on my way to Heaven. The terminology clears up the reason why a believer feels out of place so often. But the rest of these verses speak about the time we spend here on earth. We are not to live as hermits but witnesses of the life changing power of Jesus Christ. We are to abstain from fleshly lusts, live honestly, and though spoken evil against maintain good works for God’s glory. Christians are strangers, pilgrims, and witnesses of Jesus Christ.