First Peter 4
Somewhere in Between …
As I read and reread this fourth chapter, I kept coming back to two verses in particular. The first comes early in the chapter. Peter is calling the followers of Christ to live distinctively different than those who worship gods of a totally different kind. He goes on to add the result of such living won’t go unnoticed. In fact it may even puzzle those wh...o encounter them to the point that Peter writes: “They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation.” In other words, they just don’t understand why Christians don’t buy into an “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die” kind of philosophy.
Then in a completely different direction, Peter encourages followers of Christ to adopt a way of thinking where they can “rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” In other words, we see Christ at work in us even in times of great struggle.
I started to speak those two verses out loud – one after the other, and the thought that kept reoccurring is that I’m somewhere in between. On one hand, I have long since left the days where I was tempted to give into a blatant “let’s party” philosophy of life. Anette and I have reconnected with a few friends after many years and some of them still are there. I have to be honest. I don’t get that. In fact, while we’ve shared some history together, it’s like we’re speaking two different languages.
On the other hand, there’s a part of me that wishes I were at such a place in my faith where I can say those words that Peter writes with complete honest passion. That being said, I’ve already given away the fact that I’m not always there either. In fact there are times when I get quite frustrated over the pettiest inconvenience. It doesn’t take a major set back in my life to get my mind questioning God about why He’s allowed my suffering. Compared to what the Christians were facing in their walk with Jesus, my issues pale in comparison. I know Peter wasn’t writing nice religious fiction. This is the same disciple who would suffer and die on our cross – just like His Savior did for him.
So once again I find myself somewhere in between. Certainly not waving the white flag of surrender to the world, and yet hearing Peter’s words of admonition and realizing I’m not there yet. So where does that leave me? In the same place it always does … on my knees. I crying out with prayers for God’s mercy, thanksgiving for His grace, and asking Him to empower me to live more like Christ.
Somewhere in Between …
As I read and reread this fourth chapter, I kept coming back to two verses in particular. The first comes early in the chapter. Peter is calling the followers of Christ to live distinctively different than those who worship gods of a totally different kind. He goes on to add the result of such living won’t go unnoticed. In fact it may even puzzle those wh...o encounter them to the point that Peter writes: “They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation.” In other words, they just don’t understand why Christians don’t buy into an “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die” kind of philosophy.
Then in a completely different direction, Peter encourages followers of Christ to adopt a way of thinking where they can “rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” In other words, we see Christ at work in us even in times of great struggle.
I started to speak those two verses out loud – one after the other, and the thought that kept reoccurring is that I’m somewhere in between. On one hand, I have long since left the days where I was tempted to give into a blatant “let’s party” philosophy of life. Anette and I have reconnected with a few friends after many years and some of them still are there. I have to be honest. I don’t get that. In fact, while we’ve shared some history together, it’s like we’re speaking two different languages.
On the other hand, there’s a part of me that wishes I were at such a place in my faith where I can say those words that Peter writes with complete honest passion. That being said, I’ve already given away the fact that I’m not always there either. In fact there are times when I get quite frustrated over the pettiest inconvenience. It doesn’t take a major set back in my life to get my mind questioning God about why He’s allowed my suffering. Compared to what the Christians were facing in their walk with Jesus, my issues pale in comparison. I know Peter wasn’t writing nice religious fiction. This is the same disciple who would suffer and die on our cross – just like His Savior did for him.
So once again I find myself somewhere in between. Certainly not waving the white flag of surrender to the world, and yet hearing Peter’s words of admonition and realizing I’m not there yet. So where does that leave me? In the same place it always does … on my knees. I crying out with prayers for God’s mercy, thanksgiving for His grace, and asking Him to empower me to live more like Christ.
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