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. 1 Peter 2:11.
Saved and called out of the world, the believer is now a spiritual stranger on earth where he was once a citizen in the world. Ephesians 2:2-3. A wayfaring man that tarries but for a night, his citizenship is now from heaven (Philippians 3:20), his days are fast spent on earth, and his night is near, when his appointed time of stay on earth shall come to expiration, either by rapture at the sudden appearing of Christ, or by physical death – seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass. The book of Job 14:5.
God will renew their youths as the eagle’s: therefore, they shall travel and walk on earth, but shall not be wearied nor fainted. Though they’re journeying through spiritually hostile enviroment – a difficult, long and challenging road filled with serpents and scorpions, despair, dissapointments, abandonment, rejection, betrayal, loneliness, false reports, deformation, sleeplessness, peril, perplexities, loss, troubles, persecutions, bewilderness, tribulations, nakedness, sickness, lack, abundance and death itself. Deuteronomy 8:15.
God will maintain them and protect their feet from sliding, therefore, their shoes shall be of iron and brass, treading on the head of serpents and scorpions on their way, they shall not be touched or hurt by the enemy as they walk up to Zion, the beautiful city of God. How can they – the rightoeus bears fruits in their old age of they are not strong? Their strenght shall not be small, it is from the mighty God of Israel (Psalms 28:8): he – God shall increase their strenght in proprotion to the longevity of their existence on earth – as thy days, so shall thy strenght be. Deuteronomy 33:25.
The believer’s state of the heart is the determinant factor of his walk, lifestyle and destination (heaven or hell) in his pilgrim journey on earth to heaven. Like Abraham, those that truly looks for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10) will heed the command to set their affections on things above, and not on things on earth. Colossians 3:1-2.
To heed the latter, but not the first instruction, the believer make himself not as a stranger and pilgrim on earth before God, but as one of the world, a man of the flesh, though may be born of the spirit of God, but to mind earthly things, his end shall be burnt – destruction: Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Philippians 3:17-19.
Those that are not living as strangers and pilgrims on earth, have not practically escaped the corruption that is in the world through lusts, giving excuses to indulge in the works of the flesh, instead of abstaining themselves from the fleshly lusts which war against the soul, sowing to the flesh to reap eternal corruption – death, whereby destroying their chance of a glorious heaven entrance by their earthly corruptible lifestyle – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Revelation 18:4-5.
The scripture warns us against delusional thoughts of heaven in a worldly conformity of a depraved and ungodly life styles of a broad way and wide gate spiritual travellers which will definitely end in destruction –hell for eternity. For now, we cannot be enjoying the pleasure of sin and of the flesh on earth and still hope to gain of eternal life –whosoever is sowing to the flesh shall reap corruption or second death in hell fire, and whosoever is sowing to the Spirit, shall reap life – eternal life with God in Christ Jesus.
As Moses came to matured age, he lived as a godly stranger (not as a sinful Egyptian full of flesh) while he was living with King Pharaoh in his palace in Egypt where he was nourished, educated and well provided for – by faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26.
We must put our body under subjection, yield its members as instruments of righteousness unto holiness, denying ourself the pleasure of sin – we cannot do whatsoever is right in our eyes against the light of the scriptures and expects a heroic reception into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus in heaven. Hebrews 11: 24–27. Deuteronomy. 12: 8- 9.
The world does not believe that anyone can live to overcome the stains and snares of her gross iniquities, darkness and moral failures, but this is exactly what we are called upon to abstain from, though everybody is doing whatever they wanted to, but not the children of God: it is expected of them to put to death, the works of the flesh by the Spirit which they received of God, that they might live unto God. Because the Spirit God has given them is not of the world, they ought not to live as of the world, to fulfil the lusts of the flesh and desires of their minds, but to bring everythoughts in them into the obedient of Christ, denying ungodliness and wordly lusts – for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:11-14.
If you cannot beat them, join them. This should not be the case for any believer, though, the world will speak evil of the believers for their separated and sanctified life unto God, but they should not join the world to be walking in the same excess of wild living in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries – forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4:2.
Abstain from unfruitful works of darkness – abstain from any deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things which will undoutedly, destroys the works and purposes of God in his beloved – abstain from walking in the flesh, while we are living in the spirit, for the flesh profits nothing, but the spirit gives life.
Though, the believer is a free man in Christ Jesus, but he doesn’t have the liberty to live anyhow as he so wishes contrary to the word of God in the world, lest he bring himself again into the judgement and condemnation of sin by which he has been justified by the death of Christ when God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
To have power for grace to abstain from the fleshly lusts which war against the soul, the believer should not seek to justified sin for whatever reason, but to owns to it as his error which requires urgent correction and ammendment of lifestyle, otherwise, his heart will becomes hardned through the deceitfulness of sin we are are warned against to avoid, that we might enter into present and futUre rest of God. Hebrews 3:13-17: (b) by applying the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus which has made us free from the law of sin and death, the believer can have power to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against his soul, that he might live in the true liberty of those whom the Lord has saved from their sins – if the Son shall set you free, should be freed indeed. Romans 8: 1-3.
All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous, and we should not be brought under the power of anything, especially those things which has nothing to contribute to how to walk and please God in this pilgrim spiritual journey. Man seek after the things that they are hungry after. He seek for the things that interest him most. What do you longs after and what interest you most in life? What is the measure of your legitimate appetite for the things of the flesh? As a child of God, you cannot enjoy everything in the world, that is, to do all things done in the flesh in the world, otherwise, you will abuse the use and it will war against your soul – And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 1 Corinthians 7:31.
Under certain conditions (for example, I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.1 Corinthians 7:8-9 or to drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. 1 Timothy 5:23), we have limited right to enjoy certain things while we are in the body, but not like the Gentiles who knows not God. For example, you have limited right to marry only in the Lord and not from the world (unsaved friend – not born again) and it should be monogamy – the practice of marrying or state of being married to one person at a time. Genesis 2:24. Mark 10:8-9.
The flesh, not the devil is our number one enemy we must to overcome. If we have grace for power to subdue the flesh through the Spirit of God that dwells in us, we can easilly overcome the world and Satan. It is only through the Spirit of Goid in us that we can abstain from the lusts of the flesh which war against the soul. We cannot abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul if the desires of the heart for the things of the spirit is not increasing. Those that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh, and those that are after the spirit, mind the things of the spirit. This is the place where your love in the spirit or for the things of the spirit is called into question. Colossians 1:8. CLICK FOR THE ARTICLE – LOVE IN THE SPIRIT
Although, these spiritual pilgrims are people coming from different languages, nations, colours and tribes, they have three things in common (a) they are washed from their sins by the blood of the Lamb: (b) they are born again Christians, born of the water and of the spirit of God, not of flesh, nor of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God: (c) they’re looking for a better country that is heavenly. They have one common map which is bible (no matter their language, the bible speaks the same thing) to guide them to to the city of the kingdom which has a strong and unshakable eternal foundation, whose builder and architect is God.
They are indeed strangers on earth because of the law of God (Psalms 19:7) given to make them wise unto salvation is partly different from the law of the earthly kingdoms. They must politely rebel and refuse to keep any of the law of an human earthly king and nations which opposed the law of their great King (Acts 5:29), contrary to his pleasure, interest, divine principles and will, or, that which calls them to walk contrary to the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus which has set them free from the law of sin and death. Esther 3:8.
Eternal life is a promise – a free gift, but conditional. Yea and Amen, you can’t find any unconditional promise from any of the exceeding great and precious promises of God. Faith is NOW or never. Those who offers the sacrifice of faith and endure its pain shall at the end obtain a good report of faith – abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Hebrews 12:4.
While we wait for his promise of eternal life (1 John 2:25), we should do the things that accompany salvation (Hebrews 6:9) – we should, by being obedient children, work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) living with the aim to obtain the great price, eternal life. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. But, if you are not ready to count the cost to abstain from fleshly lusts warring the soul, how can you make it there? And if any man also strive for a mastery, he is not crowned, except he strive as he ought to do. 2 Timothy 2:5.
How can we get to heaven if we don’t live and make preparation for it now? If we know that there is a joy set before us in heaven, that first, we shall see him as he is and shall be like him, should we not purify ourself from flehsly lusts which war against the soul even as Christ is pure? 1 John 3:1-3. Should we not brace ourself with the same mind like him to suffer in the flesh, by abstaining from the lusts of the flesh which war against the soul, that we might reign with him afterward. Note: while we look not for the things which are seen, but for the things unseen, and hope to gain heaven as trophy, we should resist, abstain and separate ourself from the lusts which will carry us away from the highway of holiness to the paths of sin and death.
First, we are being born again by the incorruptible seed of the word of God. 1 Peter 1:23. Second, we are called to poseess an inheritance incorruptible, reserved in heaven for us, therefore, except we abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, the corruption in us will prevent us from to inherit incorrrruption, but as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. 1 Peter 1:14-17.
We cannot be living and bearing fruit of corruptible lifestyles and hope to reap in-corruptible spiritual body hereafter –God forbid. We cannot be presently sowing to the flesh and hope to reap the harvest of the spirit body designed for eternal life aftermath. Every seed give birth to its kind. Corruptible life cannot give birth to incorruptible reward but second death hereafter. But if we live for and suffer with Christ now, we shall reign with him aftermath throughout all etrenity. God condemned sin in the flesh, but Satan appeals to its lusts attacks the flesh to incite sin. 1 John 2:15-17.
The battle of Satan against the soul is waged directly as a direct assault to the flesh, our wisdom is not to make provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof (let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans13:13-14), lest we fulfil the lusts thereof to stumble and fall in the way.
Let the manners of our lifestyle be moderate with our confession of faith and pious life in appearances, presentation and attitudes, conform to our purpose and goal as heavenly bond travellers to our country of origin, for here, we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Hebrews 13: 14.
We are called to subdue and mortify the flesh and to resist the devil that will use it to get to us. Note: having the form of godliness without living a godly life, is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death, by denying the transforming power of the cross, knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Romans 6: 6. These are the few character traits, labour and dilligent of the heavenly pilgrims, the tag they are known for. (1) They are poor in the spirit, humble, teachable and corrigible — they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5: 3. (2) They are pure in heart, working progressively cleansing themself from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, and they shall see God. Matthew. 5: 8. 2 Corinthians 7:1. (3) They are not resistance to the will and purposes of God. They move forward as the Spirit guides them, either by day or night, as long as the spirit led, they followed, wherever he led, they go, and if it does not led, they stay. Romans 8:14. They carry their cross daily to live the crucified life to self and to the world, climbing up to the mountain of God through the hazardous difficult straight gate and narrow way to heaven which many are avoiding. Matthew. 7: 13-14: 21-22. Matt18: 8 -9. (4) They are rich towards God in faith, word, obedience, commitments and laboriously make investment for themselves towords heaven. Matthew 6:19 -21. 1 Timothy 6:17–19. (5) They employ every instruments available to break away from sin, – their righteousness is more than the righteousness of the scribes and of the Pharisees, they fasted thrice in the week, give alms and tithes of their possessions – except that your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in not enter heaven. Matthew 5:20. Luke 18: 9–12.