1) "Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has
suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2) that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts
of men, but for the will of God. 3) For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we
walked in lewdness,lusts,drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4) In regard to these, they
think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you." (I Peter 4:1-4)
One of the blessings of being a Christian is our identification with Christ and its resulting privileges. However, we should
not take those blessings for granted assuming that they will result in our being loved and respected by those around us.
Those in Christ are inevitably at odds with their culture and society (2 Tim 3:12). All Satan-energized systems, like this
world, are actively at odds with the things of Christ., The apostle John said, "A person can't love both God and
the world." (1 John 2:15), and James said, "Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world makes himself
an enemy of God." (James 4:4). When we began our life in Christ, we had to first change our minds about the world. We
had to choose the world or the Word.
Choosing the Word meant (or, should have meant) that we have realized that
we have spent enough time in the world doing worldly things. Those things should be safely tucked away in a box labeled "things
that I used to do". Other boxes should include "places that I used to go" and sometimes even, "people
that I used to know". Jesus suffered ridicule and scorn even before he was crucified, so, we should not expect to be
popular in this world if we are like Him (John 15:18-25).
It is my hope that we have each decided to follow Jesus.
If we are going to be successful in that endeavor, we must understand and prepare for the fact that we will have to separate
from the world and suffer persecution in the world. Heaven will make it all worthwhile!
Bro Eli
