1 Peter 4:3-5 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. 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. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
There are many of us who lived a good portion of our lives living for self, and the world. We placed value on things that have no eternal value; things that appealed to the flesh and fed selfish ambitions. We had friends who encouraged the kind of behavior that kept us on a path to eternal destruction. If we truly called upon Jesus, a change should have occurred in our lives that caused our former companions to question our sanity. After all, who would give up all the drinking, partying, and promiscuous behavior, in order to stay home, read their Bible, pray, go to church, tell everyone they can about Jesus, and be faithful to their spouse and family? Who does that? A true believer and follower of Jesus does...that's who. Are we living such a different life now, since coming to know Jesus, that those who know us barely recognize us? Is there such a drastic change in our behavior that those who knew us "back in the day" think we have lost our minds? Do we have friends or family who decide that they want nothing to do with us because we have become one of those "born again crazy people" who believe the fairy tales in the Bible? If so, we are in great company. The fact of the matter is that if we choose to live for Jesus, truly live for Jesus, many of our unsaved friends and family will mock our lives, and will even choose to separate themselves from us. They will criticize our "old fashion" life choices, and criticize us for not wanting any part in our "old life" activities. They will mock and criticize us for refusing to allow our families to walk on the same path we once cherished. The bottom line is that we will lose "friends", and have family members who will turn their backs; if we have truly surrendered our lives to Jesus. We must never be discouraged from living for the Lord or serving Him. When it is all said and done, we will all stand before the Lord, whether saved or unsaved, and give an account for how we lived. Those of us who know Jesus, will be judged in order to determine loss or gain of reward, while the unsaved will give an answer for their refusal to accept Jesus and receive their eternal sentence of condemnation. Instead of shying away, and being discouraged by the persecution, let us count it an honor to be persecuted for the Lord, and proclaim His Name with more fervency than ever.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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