1 Peter 4 – 5

Verse 4:3 is a portrayal of many Christians today:

You have already wasted enough time living like those outsiders in the society around you: losing yourselves in sex, in addictions and desires, in drinking and lawless idolatry, in giving your time and allegiance to things that are not godly.

Society has over taken our faith in many cases and things that are “acceptable” to the world are accepted in church. Heck who are we to judge anyway! This is dangerous in two aspects, first if the “church” takes this to heart then it becomes legalistic. On the other if we personally do not take this and live by it we harm our “witness”. It’s not about legalism, but rather living as Christians and not as the world. Think about sex today, it’s ok for “losing” yourself in it.

Addictions to drugs, drinking, gambling, sex, porn and whatever are rampant in society. The 1960’s mantra of “if it feels good do it” has eroded the fabric of society and now were a reaping the benefits! Drinking to excess is the problem, not a drink or two after dinner, so don’t get caught in the legalism. At the same time if someone is an alcoholic, don’t drink around them, honor their “sin”. Finally idolatry is different today, we no longer worship gods but rather stuff. Unfortunately many of these items are demonically layered and many are just distractions. Either way if we starting putting a car or a house before God we have problems!!

Verse 4:11 should provide inspiration:

If you’re called upon to talk, speak as though God put the words in your mouth; if you’re called upon to serve others, serve as though you had the strength of God behind you. In these ways, God may be glorified in all you do through Jesus the Anointed, to whom belongs glory and power, now and forever. Amen.

We need to understand the power of our Lord, God, is backing us up! When we act we need to believe that and understand timidity is not necessary with God. Go and do in his name without hesitation, knowing that He has your back. In the USA today Christians have been mocked for just thinking Jesus is real and tend to hid in the church. We need to GO OUT into the world with faith that Jesus and the Eternal is behind us!!

Verse 5:3 is a key to leading people in and to faith:

Don’t lead them as if you were a dictator, but lead your flock by example;

We cannot “force” people into faith but rather show them what God has done in our lives. Often I wonder if we failed this with our children since we figured the example was right. What we failed to do was explain and show how this was “good” in God’s eyes. We need to GO DO, but also teach. Often you will just be considered a good person without words of faith in Jesus!!