Week 4 - Day 2
(2) As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. (3) For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. (4) They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. (5) But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (6) For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Reading: It’s Saturday night. Your game just ended and your teammates are talking about going to the bonfire to drink themselves silly. They’re talking about the girls that are going to be there and placing bets on who takes the hottest girl home. One teammate takes the drug order while another takes the beer order. When the order gets to you, you decline, and you get questioned about why you aren’t coming. You reply with something to the effect of “I serve at church on Sunday mornings and besides, this isn’t right. It’s not what God wants.” The result of your response to them is that you get mocked and scorned and made fun of. You become the butt of your team’s jokes. The real reason this is happening to you is because you used to be the ringleader! This was your way of life, but a couple of weeks ago, you surrendered your life to Christ and now you no longer live but Christ lives in you (Galatians 2:20). You were obedient to Jesus and turned from your sin. You only live to do the will of God now – which is to love God and love others. Your life is not your own because you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
This story is mostly true for every baseball player at every level who have tried to find pleasure in the world, but has found something better in Jesus Christ. They found something more fulfilling… something that lasts longer (into eternity) and has much more purpose for them than the ways of the world.
When you met Jesus, you want to follow him. Doing his will is what gives you joy, and you aren’t turning back. Peter is telling the believers that they cannot sit on the fence and play games with obedience to him and loving the things of the world. He’s saying, “You are in or you are out! Do you want to live like the pagans with evil human desires, or so you want to live like Jesus?”
So, reader, how are you living? What are you living for?
Consider, this. Don’t give into the temptations of the world because we know that everyone will have to be held accountable to God. If you think about being accountable to God before you make life decisions, how would your life look different? Would you listen to your conscience more often? Would you turn from your sin today? Would you fulfill all those passing desires, or would you follow Christ until the end?
He has a much better and fulfilling life for each one of us. Do you believe that?
Reflection: What side of the story do you see yourself on? What gives you joy?
Prayer Prompt: God, help me put to death the ways of this world and let me have a desire to live for you. I cannot do it without you filling me with your Spirit. Help me be bold when temptations arise and remind me you are worth it!