Jump Start # 2331

1 Peter 4:4 “In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you”

Peter, in our verse today, shows the reaction the world has to your faith. Your faith defines your choices. It leads you to righteousness. And, in following Christ, you’ve made a course correction. You no longer run with the crowd. You no longer drink with the crowd. You no longer act like a fool. You belong to Jesus and it shows. And, they, the world, are surprised.

The King James states, “They think it strange”. The New English uses the expression, “They are astonished.” They are astonished that you make those choices. They are astonished that you do not believe that the world and Christ can merge together. They are astonished that you take things so seriously. You can almost here people saying, from Peter’s day to ours, “Can’t you have just a little fun?” Or, “Do you really think all this stuff does you any good?”

Those that cannot answer that will find themselves back with the world. They will conclude that it really didn’t make that much difference in their lives. But those that stumble back to the world, never really had both feet in to begin with. They may have dated Christianity, but they never made a real commitment. They like the people at church and they like the idea of going to Heaven, but they were really bought into this idea of letting the word of God richly dwell within them. They never took up their cross and followed Him. At a distance, and a sampling here and there was enough for them.

Does all of this stuff really make a difference? What good is all of this doing for us? We need to explore that statement. It’s more than turning us into nice people. That’s good, but that’s not it.

First, our faith in Christ is changing us from the inside out. There is a noticeable difference. We have re-wired the house and we are thinking differently these days. Gone are the selfish excuses and doing just whatever we feel like doing. We’ve taken on the nature of Jesus. We forgive for no other reason than He has forgiven us. We go out of our ways to be a servant to others. We expect nothing in return.

What good has all of this done for us? It’s made us more like Jesus. The world cannot understand nor appreciate the great value in this, but we do.

Second, our faith has given us a real hope through Jesus. It’s not a cross your finger wish that the world has. This is something that is certain, real and will happen very soon. Heaven is not a pipe dream. It’s going to be our home and very soon. We don’t walk through the day with our heads hung down, worn out and with nothing to look forward to except mindless TV. Not us. We are marching to Zion. We have a purpose about us. We do not fear death. Success for us is not in the size of your TV screen or the square footage of your house, but in being forgiven and being Heaven bound. We know that we will be resurrected. We know that there is no end to our story. Death is nothing more than going through a door into another room and in that room is where we want to be.

Third, our faith has made our marriages better. We understand that marriage is not about what I get out of it or my happiness. That’s all selfish. Marriage is about two people honoring God, first by being true to their commitment and then by working together to make a difference in the lives of others. The world flies through marriages, one after the other. Our faith has included God in our relationships. As we get closer to God, we become closer to each other. Love, grace, forgiveness and thinking the best becomes the foundation of our hearts and our homes.

Fourth, our faith has connected with the best people on the face of the earth, God’s people. They may seem common to the world. They may seem insignificant to the world. But, to God, these are His people. We worship together. We pray together. We sing together. We view each other as more than just friends, but as family. We love the people of God. Perfect, we are not. However, we all have the heart to follow the perfect one, Jesus Christ.

Fifth, our faith has changed our attitudes. We no longer think like the world does. We no longer define things like the world does. Gloom and doom do not dominate our days. We are not depressed, losing heart and worried to pieces. We no more know the future than anyone else does, however, we know the One who controls all things. It will be fine, because God is already there even before get there. Being on top, being number one, isn’t so impressive to us anymore. Our ambition is to please the Lord.

What has all of this done for us? It’s made us godly, Christ-like, disciples. It has made us responsible, dependable and accountable. It has made us pure and righteous. It’s made us into exactly what God wanted, a people after His heart.

The world doesn’t get it. The world may be surprised at our choices. But, I am more surprised that the world wants to continue on the dead-end street that is mean, hateful, selfish and going no where. I’m surprised that people continue to want to drink themselves sick with alcohol. I’m surprised that people continue to talk abusively to each other. I’m surprised that people never mention God except to curse His name. I’m surprised that people, knowing that they are going to die someday, continue to live without any hope or future. I’m surprised that people buy into the empty theories of evolution that lack evidence and common sense. I’m surprised that everyday people die and are cast into eternity and they have no clue where they are going or what’s about to happen.

Is it doing you any good? It sure is. If I could go back, the only thing I would change is that I would have started this journey much sooner in my life. I wonder if the same could be asked to a person of the world? What good is living without God doing you? Ignoring God won’t make Him go away!

Is it doing you any good…sure is something to think about.

Roger

Jump Start # 2011

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”

Surprises—life is full of them. Some are great, like birthday surprises or an unexpected visit from a dear friend. Great times. Other surprises are shocking, such as, the wife who discovers that her husband has been unfaithful to her. Or, the worker who loses his job. Or, a letter from the IRS stating that you owe back taxes. Shock. Surprised. Upsetting.

Peter identifies two surprises in this setting. It illustrates the growing difference between the child of God and the people of the world. They are moving in different directions and they are after different things. This difference is found by the words in our verse, “they” and “you.” They, are the world. You, are the Christian. They are surprised at you. They thought differently. They thought you’d join them. They thought you were counted with them.

The first surprise Peter notices is from the world. They are surprised that the Christian doesn’t run with them. The ESV translates this, “they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you.” They are surprised.

Why are they surprised? Did they not know that you are a Christian? Did they not notice a change in you? Did they think that there would be no problem? Did they think you could be a Christian and continue in the debauchery that ruined your soul? Did they think what you did outside of worship doesn’t matter? Did they think that they were ok with God?

Surprised. Shocked. All of this now turns to evil and wicked accusations. Peter ends the verse by saying, “they malign you.” They ridicule you. If you are not with them, then they are against you. The friendship ended when you would not join them in their sinful fun.

This shock continues today. When a person becomes a Christian, he takes a step out of the world and becomes a follower of Christ. Things change. He is not only adopted by God into Heaven’s family, but he now moves his citizenship from the world to Heaven. He sees himself as no longer fitting in with the world. God’s commands to “love not the world” and warnings about “friendship with the world” ring true for the Christian. He is now a stranger and an alien. As the hymn goes, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ thru.”

Sadly, for many in the religious community, they have not made that break with the world. They do not see what happens on Sunday impacts what happens on Monday, Friday and Saturday. To be blunt, there are those who would proudly claim, “I can be a good Christian and still party with my friends.” Such thinking lacks insight, logic and above all, Biblical proof. No, you can’t be a good Christian and dance with the world. You are to be a light unto the world. You are to be transformed and not conformed to the world. If the world sees little difference in your dress, attitude, language, and behavior, other than sitting in a church building on Sunday morning, you’ve missed the point of Christianity.

Peter’s point is that the world is shocked. They are surprised. They don’t understand why you don’t run with them. And, since you don’t, they turn the tables on you and try to destroy you. They malign you. They accuse you. They mock you. They will have nothing to do with you. They are running fast toward Hell and since you won’t keep up with them, they want nothing to do with you.

Second, there is yet another surprise in Peter’s context. The next verse states, “but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” They will. The “they” is the same “they” as in verse four. It’s the world. They are surprised that you don’t run with them and then they will be surprised that they have to give an account to God. They are running away from God. They are embracing sin as much as they can. They do not believe in God and they certainly do not believe that they will give an account of their actions to Him. What is there to say about the flood of debauchery that they are racing towards? It breaks every command of God and it crushes the heart of God. He did not make us this way. It’s more than sin, it’s running away from God. It’s living the prodigal’s dream. The far country. Excitement. No rules. Do what you want. Drunk on sin and no conscience to bother them. They will give an account, is what Peter says. How shocked they will be. Had they truly believed this, they would have changed their behavior. When they stand before God, they will have no excuses and no options to change. It will be too late.

The Christian knows. The Christian understands that we will be judged. It’s not perfection, but faith wrapped around the grace of God that gives the Christian confidence and hope. The Christian longs to be in the presence of God. He longs to leave this sick world that gives little thought to the soul of man.

Surprises—the world has no idea. The Christian does. We walk by faith.

Roger

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