Living as an alien

1 Peter 2:11-12:

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (NIV).

Sometimes, we go to great lengths to avoid receiving the "tourist" label when we travel, but it usually doesn't take long before someone asks us where we're from. The way we talk, dress and act are clues that identify us with our home.

This passage reminds us that, as Christians, our citizenship is not of this world. Christ calls us to act in a way that reflects our heavenly citizenship, but sometimes we blend in with the culture so well no one would dream of calling us "tourists".

As Christians, our customs and values should be remarkably different from the world. They should be reflected in our words and actions and displayed in our parenting. Sometimes we'll feel like aliens. Eyebrows may be raised when we say "no" to inappropriate movies or provocative clothes. Maybe someone will be intrigued by your family's "unusual" customs and values.

Shouldn't your family's lifestyle reflect your citizenship?

A neat devotional that I received from Parenting by Design. Really, am I living as an alien? Easy to say, but am I truly implementing it?