For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles— when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. —1 Peter 4:3–4
In conjunction with yesterday’s devotional, today’s devotional provides a rather interesting reality attached to bringing areas of our lives back into line with the will of God. The truth is, when you decide to repent, some people aren’t going to like it. Some people will accuse you being a holy roller who thinks he is better than everyone else, just because you took a step of obedience toward God. But Peter reminds us that living in what he calls “the will of the Gentiles” is a waste of time.
Some people will think it strange for you to live a life that is pleasing to God and separate from sin, while others will think it unnecessary. I once spoke with a young person whose parents were so upset about their child’s conversion that they forbid their own child from sharing the Word of God with any of their
siblings. When the new convert gave the younger brother a Bible, the irate parents confiscated it from him. But this is the Christian life—a life opposed by many for no good reason.
Christians are good and caring people filled with enough of the love of God that they want to tell others about it. They are filled with enough of the Spirit of God that they also want to live in a way that pleases Him, though this decision is becoming increasingly unpopular in our day. But here is the important lesson: Satan knows how hard it is for us to face ostracism by friends and coworkers who make us feel bad for doing good. In school, they call it peer pressure; in later life, it is still peer pressure. But regardless of where it occurs, Satan attempts to pressure us back into his plan by having others think it strange that we now follow God’s plan.
Peter would later say in verse 14, “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” I hope you caught that: the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you when evil is spoken about you because of the good steps you have taken to please and serve God. So ask yourself which you would rather have: the Spirit of glory and of God upon you or the approval of people who blaspheme God by attacking you. I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but the answer seems pretty clear to me!
Remember today, repentance and goodness and living a life to please God may seem strange to others and even cause them to say evil things about you. On your part, God receives glory; on their part, He is blasphemed. Kind of puts their opinion of us in proper perspective, I must say. Live for God, and let them say what they may!
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