This time I am focusing on 1 Peter 4:3-6. However, when I first looked at these verses back in 2022-2023, I separated them into two different passages. When I looked at it recently, I discovered that my second entry was not actually completed. I will begin with those two passages (1 Peter 4:3-4 and 1 Peter 4:5-6) and then end with the current consideration of 1 Peter 4:3-6.
December 30, 2022
1 Peter 4:3-4
Take Time to Pray
Psalm 116:5-7
5 The LORD is gracious and righteous;
our God is full of compassion.
6 The LORD protects the simplehearted;
when I was in great need, He saved me.
7 Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
Examine
3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do – living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.
Notice
God
· God has rules (commandments).
· God wants us to live free of sin.
Lesson
· God’s Word tells us how to live God’s way.
· God’s way is freedom from sin – it isn’t meant to “take the fun out of things.”
· There is a real good chance you will get negative feedback somewhere along the line in your path of following God’s way.
Thoughts/Do
I have been in the position of being bullied for my faith. At least twice it was in the workplace. It was done by my coworkers. We were all adults chronologically. The scars from these experiences still hurt from time to time.
I’ve always wondered why adults would bully other adults just because they chose a different lifestyle. Why should they be bothered by someone who doesn’t want to “party?” I wonder if they are afraid that what they are doing isn’t good and they don’t want to feel bad about themselves.
I have had one great comfort from this. I was being bullied because I was not “of this world.” In my own small way I was reflecting Christ to “the world” and they definitely didn’t like it.
January 1, 2023
1 Peter 4:5-6
Take Time to Pray
Psalm 118:5-7
5 In my anguish I cried to the LORD,
and He answered by setting me free.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is with me; He is my helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies.
Examine
5 But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Notice
God
· God will be the judge at the end of the world.
· God wants all men to be saved.
Lesson
· Non-believers may look like they are having fun, but they will one day face God as their judge.
September 13, 2024
Prayer:
Psalm 28:1-2
1 To you I call, O LORD my Rock;
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent,
I will like those who have gone
down to the pit.
2 Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to You for help,
as I lift up my hands
toward Your Most Holy Place.
Verse: 1 Peter 4:3-6
At this point in the letter, it becomes apparent that Peter is writing to people who once lived a pagan lifestyle. Now, as believers, they have turned away from that way of living. They are seeking to live according to God's will.
Unfortunately, their old friends, acquaintances, or even family, who are still pagans, don't understand the change. Even more, they don't like the change and are speaking poorly of these new believers. This sort of behavior can be hard for a new believer to handle.
Why do nonbelievers treat new believers so badly? Do they miss their company? Possibly. Or is it that they feel threatened? Are they trying to stifle a feeling of guilt? God equips people with consciences for a reason. Seeing a companion make a change like this could prick someone's conscience enough to make them lash out.
There is also what Jesus says in John 15:18-19
18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own, but because
you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world
hates you."
The sinful world hates believers. Nonbelievers often hate believers. If you are looking for a reason for mistreatment of believers by nonbelievers, the world's hatred of Jesus may be the simplest reason of all.
God does not let this behavior of nonbelievers go unnoticed. In verse 5, it states that "they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." God will judge nonbelievers and behavior like this will be punished.
God's Blessings
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