Living for the Will of God (Part 2) | Resources
Passage:
“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. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” 1 Peter 4:3–6
Devotional:
One of my top 10 bovies is Chariots of Fire, the story of two runners who represented Great Britain in the 1924 Paris Olympics. One of the runners, Erik Liddell, is a devout Christian. When he learns that the race in which he is scheduled to compete is on a Sunday, he refuses to run the race. The British elites who make up the British Olympic Committee are astonished and deeply offended by his insubordination. Liddell holds firm, however, stating that the source of his passion and speed as a runner is the same as his conviction and devotion as a Christian, which is his desire to be obedient to God’s Word and honor God in all that he does. (You can watch the movie to find out how this dilemma is resolved.)
This kind of conviction is foreign to most of us in 2022. We live in a “cheap grace” era when God’s will and God’s Word can be bent, molded, and shaped until it fits our own desires and wishes. If you are like me, I’m not sure I could name five things I WANT to do but WILL NOT do because of my conviction and obedience to God’s Word. That is the day in which we live.
Peter states in this week’s text that we need to separate ourselves from the “flood of debauchery” that defines this world, and he notes that our former friends should be surprised/ astonished/shocked by our refusal to join them. This is really difficult to do today because if there is anything this world hates, it is someone who draws hard lines and says, “this is right” and “this is wrong.”
Children can walk out of school to protest the weakening of abortion rights and the world applauds them, but let a student stand on a biblical moral value like “and God created them male and female,” and that student is hated and maligned. Let us resolve to be a “peculiar people” who live to honor God and stay obedient to His Word. This is the will of God.
by Chris Eller
Scripture Reading:
Sunday: Judg. 7; Acts 11; Jer. 20; Mark 6
Monday: Judg. 8; Acts 12; Jer. 21; Mark 7
Tuesday: Judg. 9; Acts 13; Jer. 22; Mark 8
Wednesday: Judg. 10:1-11:11; Acts 14; Jer. 23; Mark 9
Thursday: Judg. 11:12-40; Acts 15; Jer. 24; Mark 10
Friday: Judg. 12; Acts 16; Jer. 25; Mark 11
Saturday: Judg. 13; Acts 17; Jer. 26; Mark 12
Memory Verse:
“With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” 1 Peter 4:4–5
Discussion Questions:
What in our text this week stands out as interesting, confusing, or challenging?
There are some very obvious differences in the way Christians and non-Christians live. What are some that our text refers to? What are others that our text doesn’t refer to that come to your mind?
Why is there a difference in how we ought to live? Since we have been forgiven, why should we live holy lives?
Consider the day when all people stand before their judge and give an account for their life. How does this truth/day affect you, challenge you, encourage you to live for God? What is our only hope on that day?
Who do you know that needs the good news of the Gospel? Who today is still in their sin and not living in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ? Let’s pray for them tonight!
In light of what we have studied this week, how should you respond in obedience?