The concept of believers as "pilgrims and strangers" is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the transient nature of the Christian's earthly life and the call to live with an eternal perspective. This identity reflects a spiritual journey towards a heavenly homeland, underscoring the temporary and often challenging nature of life on earth for those who follow Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The notion of being pilgrims and strangers is rooted in the understanding that Christians are citizens of heaven, living temporarily in a world that is not their ultimate home. The Apostle Peter addresses this directly in his first epistle: "Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul" (1 Peter 2:11). Here, Peter acknowledges the believer's status as foreigners and exiles, urging them to live in a manner that reflects their heavenly citizenship.

Similarly, the author of Hebrews speaks of the patriarchs, who lived as strangers and pilgrims on the earth: "All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13). This passage highlights the faith of the Old Testament saints, who recognized their temporary status and looked forward to the fulfillment of God's promises.

Spiritual Implications

The identity of believers as pilgrims and strangers carries significant spiritual implications. It calls Christians to a life of holiness and separation from worldly values. As pilgrims, believers are to focus on their spiritual journey, prioritizing their relationship with God and the pursuit of His kingdom. This perspective encourages a detachment from materialism and the fleeting pleasures of this world, as emphasized by the Apostle Paul: "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2).

Moreover, being strangers in the world often results in experiencing trials and persecution. Jesus Himself warned His followers of this reality: "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first" (John 15:18). The pilgrim's path is marked by challenges, yet it is also a path of hope and assurance, knowing that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed (Romans 8:18).

Eternal Perspective

The call to be pilgrims and strangers is ultimately a call to live with an eternal perspective. The Apostle Paul captures this mindset in his letter to the Philippians: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). This heavenly citizenship shapes the believer's values, priorities, and actions, as they await the return of Christ and the fulfillment of God's promises.

The imagery of pilgrimage also serves as a reminder of the believer's dependence on God for guidance and provision. Just as the Israelites depended on God during their journey through the wilderness, Christians are called to trust in God's faithfulness and provision as they navigate the challenges of life.

Conclusion

The identity of saints as pilgrims and strangers is a profound biblical truth that shapes the Christian life. It calls believers to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing their relationship with God and the pursuit of His kingdom. As pilgrims, Christians are reminded of their temporary status on earth and the hope of their heavenly home, encouraging them to live lives of holiness, faith, and dependence on God.Genesis 12:1
Now the LORD had said to Abram, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 7:3
And said to him, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and come into the land which I shall show you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 14:26,27,33
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews xi. 13-16
... and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the ... and with good reason:
for the saints would turn ... Now that they called themselves "strangers" in this ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiv hebrews xi 13-16.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

Psalm LXXXVII.
... Walking thus in Christ, and pilgrims till we arrive ... Now therefore ye are no more
strangers and foreigners ... called Paul, was persecuting those very saints, when He ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxvii.htm

The Faith of Abraham.
... pilgrims on the earth." They are "pilgrims," because they ... way to another country;
they are "strangers," because they ... to love all angels and saints as brethren ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xi the faith of.htm

The Pilgrim's Longings
... There is enough in the world for sinners, but not for saints. ... faith to whom the apostle
referred in our text were not only strangers and pilgrims, but it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the pilgrims longings.htm

Symbolic Ornaments of the Church
... therein confess that we are pilgrims and strangers on earth ... one of the great centers
to which pilgrims came from ... Angels are included in the Communion of Saints. ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/symbolic ornaments of the church.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... it should be known; it is only propounded to us by its name, and so left for saints
to make ... or who are they that by this exhortation are called upon to come? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... pilgrimage, as Moses also relates (Gen.47:9). If they were pilgrims and strangers
in the ... he rose again, he deigned to make many of the saints partakers of ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

Sojourners of the Dispersion
... all men may be truly spoken of as being 'pilgrims and sojourners ... So at the last the
'strangers' are to be brought and ... 'Fellow-citizens with the saints and of ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/sojourners of the dispersion.htm

John xiv. 15-17
... For they dwelt on earth as those who were pilgrims and strangers; but in heaven,
as ... But that it does not make it impossible, the band of saints has shown. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxv john xiv 15-17.htm

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