Jump Start # 1385

1 Peter 4:4 “In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

  The atmosphere of 1 Peter is stormy. The apostle talks about fiery trials, suffering as a Christian, and enduring. Opposition was mounting against Christians. Being a Christian wasn’t the choice that most made. It came with many levels of troubles.

Our verse today follows Peter’s words of lust, drunkenness, sensuality, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries—all were in the past for the child of God. Those days are over. Those things are gone. The Christian was walking a different direction. The new life in Christ brought two reactions from the world.

First, they were surprised. They were surprised that you do not run with them. They were surprised that you do not engage in the same riotous living that they were doing. They were surprised that you would not do what they do. The Christian was different. His choice of Christ brought an end to wrong behavior.

Now, here’s a thought. More and more, some today are trying to build a bridge to justify the very things that Peter says they no longer do. Instead of being surprised that the Christian doesn’t do those things, today, they are surprised that some DO them. Instead of standing out, like a light does or as sanctification requires, some folks would rather blend in. The number of believers who are finding ways to justify social drinking is climbing. They see it as a good thing. They see it as an approved thing. They see it as something that Jesus would want them to do. Really? Look at Peter’s words in verse three. He lists three different forms of drinking. He says times up on that stuff. Our verse tells us that the world is surprised that you don’t run with them in those things. The Christian had turned away from those things.

There ought to be a noticeable difference between the child of God and the child of the world. Actions, attitudes, language, dress, definitions of fun and success, goals, outlook on life—are vastly difference between the Christian and the man of the world.

Those of the world are surprised. They are surprised that you don’t join them. They are surprised that you don’t run with them into the same excesses. They are surprised.

Second, Peter reveals that the response of surprise shifts to abuse. The words from the text are, “they malign you.” The NIV uses the expression, “they heap abuse on you.” The King James says, “speaking evil of you.”

Now do you notice something about all of this? The Christian isn’t doing anything wrong. The Christian is standing on his principles and convictions. The Christian is innocent, yet he is abused, maligned and spoken evil. This is how the world responds. Instead of feeling guilty for their wrong behavior and changing, they attack the righteous one. They always have. They did this to Jesus. They did this to God’s prophets. Ahab called Elijah “the troubler of Israel.” It was Ahab who was leading the nation into idolatry.

Join them or suffer is what it looks like the outcome will be. Unless you go along with their wrong, they will turn on you. They will speak evil of you. The maligning carries the idea of false allegations. What they point their finger at isn’t true. They make up things. They distort things. They falsely accuse. They are mean and hurtful. Remember our Lord? At His trial, false witnesses were produced. False, untrue witnesses, saying wrong and false things, distorting things, misquoting things, taking things out of context—that’s the way maligners operate. Join them or else. Join them or suffer. Join them or be ready for an avalanche of abuse. What they are doing is wrong. They don’t care. They do not have a heart nor a conscience. They do not care that they hurt the innocent. They do not care that what they say is a lie. They do not care, simply because you will not run with them.

I find these words fitting for our times. It’s not enough that the same-sex crowd got what they wanted, they are now turning against those who will not support them. The abuse begins. The false things, twisted words, distorted comments are being made to make Christians seem to be bigots, ignorant and not worthy to exist. They will not stop until they shut down churches. Why? What have we done? We have not run with them. We will not dance with them. We will not be a part of them. Surprised, they now turn to abuse. It’s happening and will continue to happen.

Peter adds one additional thought, “they will give an account to Him.” The Christian may suffer, but he will be ok in the end. His faith in the Lord will carry him through until he rests safely with the Savior. The trouble makers may seem to win now, but they will stand before the Lord. They will give an account to the Lord. The Lord does not take lightly the abusing of His people. Egypt got it for harming God’s people. The Babylonians got it for doing the same. The Romans got it for doing the same. If not in this world, before the throne, the maligners will learn that they were wrong.

Surprise…abuse…justice—that may be the course we are sailing on for a while. It will be ok. We need to be there for one another. We need to pray fervently. We need to support one another. We need to encourage each other to stand firm at the post. Don’t waver. Don’t cave it. Don’t sell out. God knows. Someday all will be right.

Live the way the Lord wants you to.

Roger