Making A Move

In February my sister joined us in our home. It took more than a day to move, although we all refer to “moving day” as it was a single event. There are adjustments made for some time before that day, and adjustments continue afterward. We had to empty the room she was moving into – she had to pack a home, with a single room in mind upon her arrival. For us heading into the fourth month, it has worked well – but more adjustments are coming and we know that.

How does that fit into a scripture covered in Sunday School?

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: (1 Peter 4:4 KJV)

It’s not a complete thought, is it? Who thinks it strange? What kind of riot? What evil speaking? Just as all scripture, context is very important, so let’s go back to the first verses in chapter 4:

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 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: (1 Peter 4:1-3 KJV)

When we accept God’s gift of salvation through faith in Christ, our goal becomes following His example, thinking of what He taught, ceasing from the sins He defined. We no longer list the rest of our time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. Before we became Christians, we sinned in the categories Peter listed.

Lasciviousness = indicates sexual interest or expressions of lust or lewdness. Can we go a day without seeing such an expression?

Excess of wine = drunkenness. alcoholism. Which may not show up in front of us, but don’t we see the results in broken lives and families?

Revellings - If you go out to celebrate your graduation and you are drinking, partying and having a great time, this is an example of when you are revelling. So, what’s so wrong with that? Take a look at the definition from the Free Dictionary = “A boisterous festivity or celebration; merrymaking. [Middle English revelen, to carouse, from Old French reveler, to rebel, carouse, from Latin rebellāre, to rebel; see rebel.]” Goes much further than celebrating a milestone event, doesn’t it? 

Abominable idolatries = according to Quora, a detestable thing or idol, an unclean thing, an abomination, detestation. 2. Strong's definition: filth, an idolatrous object. Yet we use “idol” to denote a celebrity or a television show, right?

We do some of these things daily, without giving consideration to the fact that we should move away from them, becoming closer to what God has laid out for our lives. We should no longer live without Christ in our lives – and many of us have accepted that. In today’s world we are mocked, called hypocrites, people speak evil of them, and in some places in the world people are killed simply because they are Christians.

Peter says the people who do those things will think us strange when we don’t run around with them after accepting Christ.

When a convict finishes his time in prison, he is encouraged to stay away from the people he was running around with when he was arrested. In most cases, they were doing the same thing then – and would be doing similar when the convict is released. Going back to the same lifestyle and same friends can result in the same ending.

Lifestyle changes are necessary when we make a move. Especially when we purpose in our hearts to live our lives as followers of Christ. What we do as Christians impacts other persons’ concept of Christianity. Learning how to reflect Christ requires learning about Him. The first place to look is the Bible, the scriptures that convinced the Bereans. We have more now than they did – we have the first person accounts of men who walked with Jesus, recorded His words, saw Him die, and experienced His resurrection.

Take time to read Peter’s two books, then read John’s three, beginning now. Then go back and begin with Matthew and read the remainder. You’ll find love, He promised.