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Food for Thought: Legal Aliens

He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake ...I Peter 1:20

Dr. Mark Ruppert

I Peter 1:17-21

There are a number of issues before our nation: the war in Iraq, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the confirmation hearings of Judge Roberts as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, just to name a few. There is also another issue that is before this nation that will not go away even though a number of politicians wish it would. For every person that the politicians please there will be someone who will be alienated. The issue I am referring to is illegal immigrants in the United States. I understand that there are now two competing proposals that are before the U. S. Senate. One bill would require illegal immigrants to report to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, pay a fine, and be deported back to their home countries. Once there, they would be eligible to apply for a “guest worker” program. A competing proposal would also offer illegal immigrants entry into a “guest-worker” program. But this proposal would grant them legal residency and the possibility for citizenship.

Some think this goes too far, others do not. How do we as Christians approach the issue? We are commanded to be good citizens, committed to the welfare of the city. There is the issue of having borders that are so porous that 11 million people have settled into this country illegally, and this certainly raises security issues. There are laws that are currently on the books regarding immigration, that, like them or not, are the law. And so if the laws are too restrictive they need to be amended. But there is the Biblical understanding that tells us that we are to extend hospitality to the aliens, for this is what makes for a good and just society. As a matter of fact, if you read the scriptures, it was up to the people of God to extend a hand of friendship towards those who were different, for this way of life distinguished them from their unbelieving neighbors. Let me ask you, what would it feel like if we were one of the 11 million people who have settled in this country illegally? How would you feel if you were an illegal alien?

This morning we continue in our series from I Peter 1 & 2, as we talk, not about illegal aliens but Legal Aliens. Peter says in verse 17, “If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, life in reverent fear during the time of your exile.” Living in exile. The Greek word he uses is paroikias which is translated as sojourning. And in Acts 13:7 it is translated “stranger”. Have you ever thought of yourselves as people living in exile, for a time; people who are sojourners or strangers? Well, we are, as a matter of fact we could even call ourselves legal aliens who are living for a time in exile on this earth.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 2:12 that you and I are to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling.” And then he goes on to say in Philippians 2:13 words of encouragement when he tells of the power and strength that the Lord provides, for he says, “for if God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

“There is a great difference between attempting to live for God, and allowing Him to live in and through us. Both Peter and Paul acknowledge the impossibility of the former [attempting to live for God] and the absolute necessity of the latter [allowing God to live in and through us].” (The Communicator’s Commentary, James, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, Paul A. Cedar, p. 127)

Peter not only challenges us to live out our salvation but he offers ways in how to do it. First, Peter tells us in verse 17 to live as exilesor strangers here on earth. Peter is telling us to live as those sojourning here or as strangers. Let me ask you where is our major citizenship to be found? Years ago when my wife came to this country, having been born and raised in Pakistan, the offspring of American missionaries, she had an opportunity to have duel citizenship. She was already an American citizen but there was a time when she could have also been a citizen of Pakistan. I’ve told her I thought it would have been sort of neat to have both, but she never took the opportunity to do so. Probably when she came to live in the states when she was 15 years old she probably would have told you Pakistan was her home since that was where she had spent most of her time and it was difficult making the transition coming to the States with a new community and school and church. As a matter of fact missionary children have a tremendously difficult time making the transition to the States and for some it has taken years to recover from the move. A few moments ago I asked you where you saw our major citizenship to be found? As a Christian if you say the United States or America you are wrong. Our highest calling as believers is to give our utmost allegiance to King Jesus and His kingdom. Remember that Peter is writing to a people who were already scattered and living in exile. For we read in I Peter 1:1, “To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.” And like those he wrote to back then we too are only pilgrims or strangers living in the here-and-now, for this earthly life is only temporary.

Our citizenship is eternal in the Kingdom of God. As Peter is telling us the good news of who God is in verse 17- the God who judges all people impartially each one according to their deeds, he is also telling us who we are- people who should live in reverent fear. O.K. we can buy into God who judges us according to our deeds or our works, but what does this notion of fear mean? The Greek word for fear is phobos, which is where we get our English word for “phobia.” But Peter is not talking about a fear that is caused by emotional illness. The fear he is referring to is, well, a healthy kind of fear.

When our kids were little and we would take them to the pool or to the ocean we would take them by the hand every time they went into the water. We would instruct them that they were not allowed to go in to the water by themselves because it was dangerous. We wanted to instill in them a healthy kind of fear. That is what Peter is talking about. We read in Acts 2:43 where the word “fear” appears which better describes the kind of fear that Peter is speaking of.

It says in Acts 2:43, “Fear [or another translation says Awe] came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.” Really the better translation for this word is “awe,” for we should be in awe of God and we should live in reverent fear in the way we live out our lives in the presence of a holy God. We need to keep in front of ourselves who God is and who we are.

Second, Peter tells us in verses 18-20 to live as ransomed or redeemed people. Yes, we are strangers, we are aliens or sojourners but we are living, breathing, existing in the here-and-now so we need to live as those who have been saved, we have been ransomed or redeemed by Christ. And then he goes on to tell us three important statements about those who have been redeemed. First, verse 18 tells us we have not been redeemed by the futile conduct or ways inherited or received by the tradition of our ancestors. What he means is that there is a difference between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God or godly wisdom.

I can only pass down to my children the temporary things of life. I cannot spiritually save or redeem my children on Christ can do that. And when I came into this world I came with nothing, and when I die and leave this world I leave with nothing-only the assurance that I have been redeemed, I have been saved by the blood of Christ. Second, Peter says in verse 18 that we have not been ransomed or redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold. Our problem is we might look at gold or silver and think it will last forever, that it is some of the more permanent things of this world. I mean, I have some of the coins that my grandfather passed on to my father and my father to me. But our salvation cannot be bought with gold or silver, our salvation cannot be bought with the corruptible or the temporary, which in the end will perish. Our salvation was bought with a price- Christ’s death on a cross, and all the gold and silver in the world could not and cannot purchase your salvation or mine. The price was paid and there is no deposit and no return.

And verse 19 says it best when we read that we were ransomed “with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.” And third, Peter tells us in verse 20 that Jesus was destined before the foundation of the world. What he means is that Jesus death was no fluke, no accident, it just didn’t happen by chance and was not the mistake brought about by terrible, sinful people. This was the plan of God from the beginning of time. Listen to what Paul says in Ephesians 1:4, “just as he [God] chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love.”

And finally the third thing Peter shares about living this life as people who have been redeemed or ransomed is in verse 21 that we need to live with faith and hope. Peter knew and understood the power and significance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He understood it theologically and personally. He understood the pain, the agony, the sorrow and the deep despair that went with the death of Christ, after all he, Peter, had denied Christ. But he also knew the indescribable joy that came with the resurrection. He was the one who ran to the tomb that first Easter morning with John and found the tomb was empty. Peter saw the resurrected Christ and spoke with him. Despite the difficulties and trials Peter did not put his money on the temporary but he was banking on the eternal. And so must we.

Yes, there is despair and difficulties and trials and turmoil in this earthly life. But just remember that we are legal aliens, but aliens who are just passing through.

There is an old story told of a retiring missionary who, years ago, was coming home to North America on the same boat as the President of the United States. Cheering crowds, a military band, a red carpet, banners, and the media welcomed the President home. But the missionary slipped off the ship unnoticed. All those years serving God in a foreign land and no one to welcome him home. Felling self-pity and resentment, he began to complain to God. Then God gently reminded him, “But my child, you’re not home yet.” Amen.

Key Points  

Introduction: There are a number of issues before our nation…

Illegal immigrants/aliens

“Living in exile” vs. 17

paroikias translated means ______________

Peter challenges us to live out our salvation and offers ways in how to do it

First, he tells us to live as _____ or strangers on earth vs.17

Where is our major citizenship to be found?

Peter tells us who God is in vs. 17 but also who we are - people who should live in reverent fear - another translation for fear is ________

Second, Peter tells us in vs. 18-20 to live as ______ or _________ people  

Three important statements about those who have been Redeemed:

First, vs. 18 we have not been redeemed by the futile _______ inherited by the tradition of our ancestors  

Second, vs. 18 says we have not been redeemed with ________ things like silver or gold  

Third, vs. 20 says that Jesus was _______ before the foundation of the world  

Third, we need to live with _____ and ______ vs. 21

Conclusion: God said to the missionary, “But my child, you’re not home yet.”

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)