In the Christian tradition, the concept of believers as "pilgrims and strangers" is deeply rooted in the understanding that Christians are temporary residents on earth, with their true citizenship in heaven. This perspective is drawn from various biblical passages that emphasize the transient nature of earthly life and the eternal focus of the believer's journey.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, articulates this heavenly orientation: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). This verse underscores the idea that Christians, while living in the world, belong to a heavenly kingdom. Their lives are to reflect the values and priorities of this eternal realm, rather than the fleeting concerns of earthly existence.

The Epistle to the Hebrews further elaborates on this theme by describing the faithful as those who "acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13). This acknowledgment is not merely a passive acceptance but an active declaration of faith, recognizing that their ultimate home is with God. The saints of old, such as Abraham and Sarah, lived with this perspective, seeking a "better country, that is, a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:16).

The Apostle Peter also addresses believers as "foreigners and exiles" in his first epistle, urging them to "abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul" (1 Peter 2:11). This exhortation highlights the moral and spiritual implications of living as pilgrims and strangers. The heavenly conversation of the saints involves a lifestyle that is distinct from the world, characterized by holiness and a focus on eternal realities.

In the Old Testament, the patriarchs exemplified this pilgrim mindset. Abraham, for instance, was called by God to leave his homeland and journey to a land he did not know, living in tents as a sojourner (Genesis 12:1; Hebrews 11:9). His life was marked by faith in God's promises, looking forward to "the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Hebrews 11:10).

The Psalms also reflect the pilgrim spirit, as the psalmist declares, "I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me" (Psalm 119:19). This plea reveals a heart that seeks divine guidance and wisdom, recognizing the temporary nature of life on earth and the need for God's direction.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself embodies the ultimate example of a pilgrim and stranger. Though He was in the world, He was not of it, and His mission was to fulfill the will of the Father (John 6:38). He taught His followers to pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10), directing their focus toward heavenly priorities.

The life of a Christian, therefore, is marked by a heavenly conversation—a manner of living that reflects their true citizenship. This involves a continual transformation by the renewing of the mind, as Paul exhorts in Romans 12:2 , and a setting of the heart on things above, as stated in Colossians 3:1-2 . The saints, as pilgrims and strangers, are called to live in the world but not be of it, maintaining a heavenly perspective that shapes their actions, decisions, and interactions with others.Philippians 3:20
For our conversation is in heaven; from where also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Freedom of the City.
... for so short a time, where, after all, we are but strangers and pilgrims, we ought ...
which is God's Home; of being fellow citizens with the saints in light ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lviii the freedom of.htm

The Kingdom Given to the Saints at the Resurrection of the Just.
... obtain, and of which the righteous dead and the living saints are made ... them, and
embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the kingdom given to the.htm

Against the Arians, and Concerning Himself.
... have I cut off"to bring a lying accusation against Saints, [3764] and ... or in misfortune;
and in this we are all alike strangers and pilgrims, however much ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiii against the arians.htm

The Christian Described
... men and things, he deals with as strangers and pilgrims ... Then said the pilgrims,
"Alas, what now shall we do ... eternal weight in the glory that saints shall then ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

Of the Last Resurrection.
... have passed from "death unto life," being no longer strangers and pilgrims, but
fellow ... Paul says, that the faith and charity of the saints have respect to ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 25 of the last.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... full of odours, which are the prayers of saints, and they ... They are said to be the
believers, those that do enter in into rest, those that have Christ for a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... and of his Son Christ, I pray and beseech you all as strangers and pilgrims, to
abstain ... can be said to be chosen, but such as are real and true Saints. ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

Letter cxxx. (AD 412. )
... of this world, in which we are pilgrims absent from ... and for our friends, and for
strangers"yea, even ... He therefore makes the saints intercede with groanings ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxxx a d 412.htm

On the Difficulties and Duties of the Christian Life.
... of all that wisdom and goodness wherewith the best of saints have ever been ... be much
in our thoughts, it will make us as "strangers and pilgrims, to abstain ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part iii on the difficulties.htm

The Gospel Message in Antioch
... am less than the least of all saints, is this ... Some of these pilgrims were men of
fervent piety ... While Jerusalem was filled with these strangers, the apostles ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 16 the gospel message.htm

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