1Peter 4:3-4 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (4) Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
As I was reading and studying today, I came across verse 4 and it just stood out to me. Peter makes the application that even though they used to run with sinners and live a life of sin, they no longer did and those that they did it with now think they are strange. There was such a dramatic change in not only their inner being but also in their outer being, that it was just strange to the old crowd who was not saved. And because this "new life" was so strange to them, they spoke evil of them.
How many times have we heard the saying, "They are running with the wrong crowd"? What we notice from Peter today is that no only is that crowd wrong, but they are going to think of you strange for not following them. But our job is not to blend in with every one else, but to stand out for our Lord, remembering what Peter said in chapter 2:
1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Verse four tells us that when we follow God's will, we might not have to separate from non-believers. Our paths are so different they should notice we are not following their ways. The choice is ours. Follow Christ or follow the world.
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