1 Peter 4:3-5
For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
Tag: Is the World Surprised that We DON’T Join Them?
The recipients of Peter’s first letter were under extreme suffering. Peter is writing to them to encourage them and to point them to the power in Christ, the suffering with Christ and the hope of future presence with Christ, in Glory. In the above text we are picking up an argument that began at the opening of chapter four. Paul is exhorting the readers with the truth that since we have died with Christ we should no longer live the same way. We have died to sin (we can see Paul’s writings in Peter’s words). He begins the above truths with the word “for.” He is saying that “since” we are now “dead” to sin, we should not live like non-believing Gentiles. Instead we should be different. Remember, this is the same little book where Peter wrote previously:
1 Peter 1:13-16
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Peter is saying that when we ACT holy (living a life that reflects our commitment to God) the world will be “surprised” at our new tastes for life. We should no long be hungry for the same things. One of the sure evidences of our love for Christ is our lack of love for the things of this world. If we are still in love with the things of this world, we need to examine our minds, hearts and souls. As God has saved us, He gives us a new hunger. That new hunger and appetite for spiritual things should stand in stark contrast to the world around us. The text above states that the world will eventually be judged for their turning from God. But, that should not be true of us. We should, after coming to Christ, develop a new appetite for Christ and spiritual food. If we do we will surprise the world around us because we no longer are hungry for what we once feasted upon.
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