“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13-16)
“Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; having good behaviour among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:11-12)
As disciples of Christ we are sojourners in this world. We do not belong to this present age, but we await a heavenly city, a place prepared for us by the Lord Himself. The writer of Hebrews spoke about patriarchs and prophets who lived as strangers and exiles, confessing that they sought a better country. This theme runs through the Bible and speaks to our identity as the redeemed.
The Apostle Peter writes, “Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” (1 Peter 2:11) This life is but a journey, a temporary passage through a foreign land. We are not here to settle or conform, but to remain set apart for the glory of God. Just as Israel sojourned in the wilderness en route to the Promised Land, so too do we navigate the trials and temptations of this world, fixing our eyes on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.
Being a sojourner comes with challenges. The world entices us to forget our true citizenship and root ourselves in its pleasures and comforts. However, Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Therefore, we must resist the lure of materialism and worldly values. We live as ambassadors of Christ, reflecting His light in a world darkened by sin.
As sojourners, we live in hope. Hebrews 11:16 declares, “But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” This hope anchors our souls in the promises of God. Jesus assured His disciples, “In my Father’s house are many homes. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2) What a glorious day it will be when we finally enter the fullness of His presence!
While we await our heavenly home, we are called to live with true, Godly purpose. Our pilgrimage is not aimless wandering but a journey that is to be marked by service, love, and witness. Peter exhorts us to have “good behaviour among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12) Every act of kindness, every word of truth, and every prayer offered testifies to the reality of God’s kingdom.
If we have not done so already, let’s be sure to embrace our identity as sojourners with joy and perseverance. The road is narrow and fraught with difficulty, but the reward is eternal. Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord Jesus Christ and your heart set on the heavenly home awaiting you. Walk in faith, live in hope, and abound in love, knowing that one day, the Lord will welcome us into His eternal dwelling.