BIBLE BITES

A Distinctly Different Life

“Hey, can I check out your phone? I want to see if you have any good music. Huh – the titles! Never heard of any of those bands.  Do you actually listen to that stuff?”

“Did you get your ticket to the Black Eyed Peas’ concert yet? They’ve got the most awesome drummer.”

“That’s so weird. I can’t imagine a weekend without partying, girls and booze. Like where do you get your kicks and hits in life?”

“Are you going to the game Friday night?”

“You’ve got to come up here. I got a job that gives me 30 hours a week overtime, in addition to my regular 40 hours. It’s my get-rich-quick solution. That’s my goal in life.”

“..umm. I guess we’re on a different wave length. I don’t understand you anymore.”

Old friends and contacts were making fun of the Christians for not partying anymore and for living such a clean life. They took a lot of ribbing and mocking for their changed lifestyle. The Apostle Peter wrote them a letter of encouragement and instruction. Here’s a clip from the letter:

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,  (2)  so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.  (3)  For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.  (4)  With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; (5) but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:1-5

Peter wrote to Christians who were taking some heat for being different. Their lifestyle changed after they trusted Christ. There was a very clear line between them and the unsaved people around them. They used to go to the same parties and bring their share of the drinks. They listened to the same music. Had fun the same way.  Went to the same games.  Stood in the same line ups to buy tickets.  Engaged in the same vices and gave in to the same lusts. But then things radically changed.

There was a 180 degree shift and the unsaved people noticed the huge change. These people who had trusted Christ had new desires; new values; new joys; new fun and a new perspective on life. Old friends could not understand why they no longer joined them for their fun.  As Peter put it: “. they think it is strange and surprising that you no longer run with them.”

Guess what? That’s the norm.  That’s what God expects it to be like when we trust Christ. Someone asked: “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” When the evidence is lacking, there is a question mark about authenticity and reality.

You should be distinctly different from your unsaved friends. They should see a big enough difference in you that they say: “What’s got in to you? I don’t understand what has happened to you. You have changed.”

Sure, at the moment you might feel embarrassed, even humiliated because of what they said and how they said it. But inside you breathe a little prayer: “Lord, thank You for allowing me to be a witness to my friends. They are noticing the change You are making in my life. They don’t yet understand the peace and the joy of salvation but help them to see from the outside that I have what they need. Give me the courage to tell them about Your Son, Jesus and the peace I have because of Him. Oh God, save them!”