They are Surprised that You Don’t Join In

Scripture:

1Pet. 4:1   Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), ² so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. ³ You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. ⁵ But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.

Observation:

Peter reminds the readers of Jesus’ suffering and that if we are to be Christlike disciples, we, too, will suffer in the flesh. This is an encouragement to keep our eyes on kingdom life, and to be motivated by the will of God. 

These believers had already lived their lives in the flesh and in the world. The Roman world of the first century was filled with sexual license and practice. People were encouraged to express themselves sexually in any way they desired and these practices were endorsed by society. The Gentiles threw lavish parties and celebrations where all were to attend, participating in partying, drinking, eating and having sex. The Christians were now seen as odd because they no longer joined in. The result was that the world hurled insults at the believers, calling them terrible names and persecuting them for their faith and their actions. 

Peter turned toward the time of judgment and that all would have to given an accounting before God. The first century church was eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus and assumed they would be judged by him at his return. Those who had already passed away, but had heard the gospel, would also be judged. The invitation was to live in the spirit with God. 

Application:

The Christians were considered weird by society. Once they came to Christ they quit many of the practices that were the “norm” of society. Because they refused to give in to the desires of the flesh, the people spoke poorly about them. 

The Christian life ought to be just as “weird” to the world today as it was then. Culture is trying to push Christians to accept standards which are set by the world. 

It seems to me that Christianity has worked hard to become acceptable to society and to “fit in.” Maybe we didn’t like feeling that we were “weird” so we pushed the envelope to get as close to the world as possible. There’s not much of a price to pay in becoming comfortable in the world. Of course, there is also the problem that Christianity went the other direction of becoming separate, and in that regard lost her witness. I think that Peter was suggesting a balance. Notice that he is not being judgmental of the secular world, but is challenging the Christians to live a life without sin. This is radical obedience to Christ while still living in the world. We just choose not to join in anymore. We don’t have to participate in the sexual freedoms of the world. We don’t have to drink socially. We can be called “weird” — and maybe we ought to wear that moniker proudly. 

Believers are to be gentle and humble in their dealings with others outside the faith.Our lives are to be living witnesses to the presence of Jesus who gives us hope. And yes — the world will be shocked when we doin’t join in. 

Prayer:

Lord, may I live with the long view in mind, willing to be called weird for your sake. Amen.