Sojourner or Earth Dweller?...Which One are You? — Via the Wayfaring Gal (2/16/2025)

Sojourner or Earth Dweller?…Which One are You? — Via the Wayfaring Gal (2/16/2025)

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And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. (Isa 35:8)

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What is a Sojourner?

A sojourner is a person on a journey, just as a pilgrim who stays temporarily in one place and then moves on; just as those few who enter in at the strait gate and walk the narrow way of Matthew 7:13-14:

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (Matt 7:13)

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matt 7:14)

The word way in Matthew 7:14 is Strong’s #G3598:

Greek hodos; a road: by implication a progress (the route, act, or distance); figuratively a mode or means:- journey, (high-) way.

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Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; (1Cor 4:11)

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It’s a journey to find the Lord Jesus Christ in order to obtain one’s eternal salvation at rebirth (Jn 1:12-13).

It’s not an “instant sinner’s prayer” that saves you at all; it’s only through obedience to the commands of Jesus (Mt 28:19-20); and it’s something that is done to you by God (1Jn 3:1).

The narrow way journey IS NOT a “work” or “legalism” as so many will tell you. It’s an open mystery (Rom 16:25); something we can know, IF we will open our minds and hearts to hear the truth of it (Ps 119:2).

It’s a journey, the Lord says, that takes you down a way you know not (Isa 42:16). A way that can be described, but not truly understood until we obey the commands of Jesus Christ and God the Father (1Jn 2:3).

The Narrow Way “walk” is a walk of judgment; a judgment that all of us must go through in order to lay hold of eternal life (Ps 119:30; Lk 11:42; Heb 9:27).

It’s a journey that takes us out of the world we all know (Jn 17:16); and we slowly (spiritually) “die” (Jn 12:24) in order to obtain new life (Jn 6:63; 1Cor 15:36; Job 14:7-9).

It’s a spiritual death to Satan, his kingdom, and all the pleasures he offers us (Mt 4:8-9); while at the same time, the Holy Spirit shows us the real truth (Jn 14:26; 16:7-13); and God takes our hand (Isa 42:6), dragging us deeper and deeper until we know too much to quit (Jn 6:44; Jer 31:3).

He speaks to us through His word, giving us confirmation after confirmation as we study; that what He has shown us is true. He puts us between a rock and a hard place, so we have nowhere else to go (Job 23:8-10; Jn 6:65-68).

The narrow way sojourner can’t go back into the world because he/she knows the only things in the world are lies and eternal ruin, the congregation of the dead (Prov 21:16; Mt 8:22; Lk 9:60).

You then start to wonder, just how long is this journey? Where is the end of this road where eternal life is found (Mt 7:14)?

You start feeling a separation occur and you have no pleasure in anything anymore; you even start to feel like you’ve been abandoned by God.

You know He’s there, but this revelation Jesus promised hasn’t happened yet (Jn 14:21; 1Pet 1:13; Rev 3:20; Jer 33:3); and you begin the task of sitting and waiting in the lowest room (Prov 25:6-7; Lk 14:10), wondering:

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mt 27:46; Mk 15:34).

But in my heart of hearts knowing it is I who seems to have forsaken God (Ps 119:176; Jer 2:17, 19).

Excerpt from my 2008 Journal:

While I sit here in solitude, unable to find solace in anything, I marvel at how much has changed. It used to feel like I had a relationship with the Lord, even though I know we’ve all been cut off from that since Adam and Eve “fell” in the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:17, 3:1-24; Heb 9:27), I still felt a closeness.

After all, the word does say, draw nigh unto God and He will draw nigh unto you (Jas 4:8). And it felt like that was the case; it felt right until one day…

…I was starting to pray and my words seemed so hollow, and all of a sudden I felt really alone. Something seemed to be missing, and I couldn’t even pick up my Bible for comfort (1Pet 4:12). It was as if the Lord had shut the door on me.

So I immersed myself in television and movies—trying to fill my mind with anything—yet my thoughts were always on the Lord, wondering why I felt so all alone.

It’s been a year and I’m still fighting with the devil and myself (1Tim 6:12; Jude 1:3). The Lord has given me what a Christian brother calls “a refreshing”, which has allowed me to do a little studying and start writing this.

So I sit here wondering, where are you Lord? How do I find you? Your word says to study to show yourself approved unto God (2Tim 2:15); and to seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt 6:33; Prov 8:17); ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened (Mt 7:7; Prov 8:35).

Another brother in the Lord says this journey should be thought of as an adventure, but sometimes that’s hard to do when you realize your eternal destination depends on it. So much time has gone by in silence and you start to wonder…perhaps it’s really only Satan whispering in your ear, trying to make you doubt God; questioning whether God is good for His word and what He promised.

How foolish we puny human beings can be, and how easy it is to listen to Satan (1Pet 5:8). And as I sit here, I look in the Psalms and see I am not the only one who has been disheartened.

Psalm 22:1,11,19; 27:9; 35:22

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? (Ps 22:1)

Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. (Ps 22:11)

But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me. (Ps 22:19)

Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. (Ps 27:9)

This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. (Ps 35:22)

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Psalm 38:21-22

Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. (Ps 38:21)

Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation. (Ps 38:22)

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Psalm 71:10-12

For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, (Ps 71:10)

Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him. (Ps 71:11)

O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. (Ps 71:12)

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So what is it? Is it just because my heart is so desperately wicked (Jer 17:9), and even though I know it, I still haven’t admitted it to God or myself? Maybe that’s it. Because I spent most of my life fighting to stay alive when I was surrounded by some of the most evil people God could have allowed me to be involved with.

I have seen first hand some of mankind’s wickedness (Eccl 9:3) fearing for my life on more than one occasion, and still refuse to think I could do any of those things, even though I was caught up in the middle of it all. I was young; I was very young, and all I wanted was to be loved.

Perhaps this was the Lord’s way of showing me there really is no true love in this world (Zech 9:11; Prov 30:16), and all the searching for it here in this world is indeed just vanity (Jn 21:15-17; Eccl 12:8).

I looked up the word “love” used in the above three verses of John; there are two types of love involved here. They are agapao #G25 (God’s “Divine” love) & phileo #G5368 (Mankind’s “brotherly” love). It has also shown me that even my love is given out conditionally. And as I’ve grown older I can see it more clearly now.

On the one hand it makes me sad (Eccl 1:18), so that all I can do is to try and look ahead to the day when there will be no more pain, neither sorrow or crying, and the former things are passed away (Rev 21:4). And I pray the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on my soul, and will remember me when He comes into His Kingdom (Lk 23:42).

On the other hand, it’s what gives me hope (Lam 3:21-22) because I have been given an understanding of the true salvation Gospel and that’s all that really matters (Eccl 12:13; Jn 3:7).

But with all that being said, I’m still so very restless. Everything going on in the world indicates the time is very near (Mt 24:8,14,33); so every day I thank the Lord for all my blessings, and for the strength I need to continue sitting here, because I have nowhere else to go (Jn 6:67-68). All I can do is set my face as a flint (Isa 50:7) and try to rest in His promises (Isa 55:11, 59:1).

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Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Heb 13:8)

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Hab 2:3)

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Heb 10:37)

His will be done, not mine…

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What is an earth dweller?

An Earth dweller is one who keeps themselves involved in the world and all the pleasures it has to offer them. All the sports events, movies theaters, outdoor events, family gatherings, etc.

Things that keep us all very busy, like getting degrees or amassing fortunes; anything Satan can think of to keep us all distracted.

Satan doesn’t want us spending any time considering the deeper things of life, like the reason we are here or where we go when we leave this plane of existence.

The “Earth dwellers” are the ones that Satan has a firm grip on and unless you are one of God’s chosen, you will remain under that grip, in the congregation of the dead. (Isa 2:8; Jer 50:38; Lk 9:60; Mt 4:8-9; Jn 6:44; Prov 21:16)

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Rev 3:10)

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Rev 13:8)

And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (Rev 13:14)

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (Rev 14:6)

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Rev 17:8)

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I have also wondered if “earth dwellers” could be considered those with the spirit of antichrist. Seems there is a connection between those that are “in the world” and those that “dwell upon the Earth.”

1 John 4:3-6:

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1John 4:3)

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1John 4:4)

They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. (1John 4:5)

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (1John 4:6)

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*Dwell: Strong’s #G2730 katoikeo, from #G2596 and G3611; To house permanently, i.e. reside (lit./fig.):- Dwell (-er), inhabit (-ter)

Random House Dictionary Definition (1966 Edition):

*Dwell:

1) To live or stay as a permanent resident; reside
2) To live or continue in a given condition or state
3) To linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing (often followed by on or upon)

[ME] dwell (en) (to) lead astray, stun, abide, [OE] dwellan to lead or go astray, hinder

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This appears to confirm, that if we are to follow Jesus, then we must leave this world behind. Remember what happened to Lot’s wife when she looked back? Pillar of salt…(Gen 19:26; Luke 17:32)

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And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62)

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)

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So, back to the original question: Sojourner or Earth Dweller, which one are you?

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Word Study

“Sojourner” vs. “Earth Dweller”

This is a short word study from a few verses describing what people on the way are referred to as; for we are not to be of this world, just as Jesus was not of this world.

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. (John 8:23)

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And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: (1Pet 1:17)

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1Pet 2:9)

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Heb 11:13)

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*Note: All non-Strong’s definitions were found in the Random House Dictionary (1966 Edition):

*Sojourning: Strong’s # G3940, paroikia – from G3941; Foreign Residence:- sorjourning, x As Strangers.

1. To stay for a time in a place; live temporarily
2. A temporary stay

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*Peculiar: Strong’s #’s G1519 and G4047 peripoieisis; from G4046; acquisition (the act or the thing); by extension preservation:—obtain (-ing), peculiar, purchased, possession, saving.

1. Strange; queer; odd
2. Uncommon; unusual
3. Distinguished in nature or character from others
4. Belonging exclusively to some person, group, or thing

Syn. extraordinary, singular, exceptional, distinctive

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*Strangers: Strong’s # G3941 paroikos; from G3844 and G3624; having a home near, that is, (as noun) a by-dweller (alien resident):—foreigner, sojourn, stranger.

One who is not a member of the family, group, community, or the like; as a visitor or a guest.

Syn. Stranger, alien, foreigner all refer to someone regarded as outside of or distinct from a particular group. Strange may apply to one who does not belong to some group-social, professional, national etc. – or may apply to a person with whom one is not acquainted.

Alien emphasizes a difference in political allegiance and citizenship from that of the country in which one lives.

Foreigner emphasizes a difference in language, customs, and background.

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*Pilgrims: Strong’s # G3927 parepidemos; from G3844 and the base of G1927; an alien along side, i.e. a resident  foreigner:- Pilgrim, foreigner

A person who journeys, esp. a long distance, to some sacred place as an act of devotion. (Ref. Mt. 7:13)

A traveler or wanderer, esp. in a foreign place

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*Alien:

1. One born in or belonging to another country who has not acquired citizenship by naturalization
2. A foreigner
3. One who has been estranged or excluded
4. Residing under a government or in a country other than that of one’s birth without having or obtaining rights of citizenship there
5. Foreign; strange; not belonging to one

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*Foreigner:

1. A person not native to or naturalized in the country or jurisdiction under consideration; alien
2. A thing produced in or brought from a foreign country
3. A foreign vessel

Syn. Outlander. See stranger

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*Residence:

1. The place, esp. the house, in which one lives or resides; dwelling place; home
2. A structure serving as a dwelling or home, esp. one of large proportion and superior quality
3. The act of living or staying in a specified place while performing official duties, carrying on studies or research, awaiting a divorce etc.

*Resident:

1. One who resides in a place
2. Residing; dwelling a place
3. Living or staying at a place in discharge of duty (of qualities) existing; intrinsic

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The following song is a very haunting version of “Wayfaring Stranger” with lyrics below.

Wayfaring Stranger | Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra:

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LYRICS

Wayfaring Stranger

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world alone
Yet there’s no sickness, no toil, nor danger
In that bright land to which I go

I’m going there to see my Father
I’m going there no more to roam
I’m only going over Jordan
I’m only going over home

I know dark clouds will gather ’round me
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
Where God’s redeemed, their vigils keep

I’m going there to see my Mother
She said she’d meet me there when I come
I’m… only going over Jordan
I’m only going over home

I’m going there to see my Father
I’m going there no more to roam
I’m only going over Jordon
I’m only going over home

I am a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through this world below
Yet there’s no sickness, no toil, nor danger
In that bright land to which I go

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And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: (1Pet 1:17)

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~ Wayfaring Gal ~

 

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Download a Most-Helpful Guide to the Narrow Way and True, Biblical Salvation, Written by a Man Who Walked it to the End: NarrowWayTruth.com

 

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