| 1 Peter 4:3-5 – “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.” |
Every person growing up recognizes the subtle push of peer pressure.
For some it is drugs and alcohol.
For others it is to conform to a particular style, like dying your hair blue or wearing pants below the hip, where pants just don’t belong.
As we grow older, it doesn’t change. It only becomes more subtle.
We keep up with the Jones. Our friends get a bigger home and that motivates us to do the same. After all, we don’t want to look bad?
There is language and humor that, unless you participate with gusto, you are viewed as a out-of-date Neanderthal.
But we are not alone. Sir Christopher Wren, the famous architect felt it as well.
Wren, once built a structure in London His employers claimed that a certain span Wren planned was too wide, that he needed another row of columns to support.
Sir Christopher, after some discussion, acquiesced. He added a row of columns but left a space between the unnecessary columns and the beams above.
The worthies of London couldn’t see this gap from the ground. To this day, the beam has not sagged. The columns stand firm still, supporting nothing but Wren’s conviction.
What is your conviction in life?
We need non-negotiables, things that harden from what we are convinced of to something from which we will not be moved.
And, we will have to face the withering criticism of others.
Peter explained to his listeners, who were just beginning to feel the ripples of persecution washing against their lives, that they would not be understood.
They made choices, choices so different than the pagan world around them, they would be seen as not just odd, but dangerous to society.
So, he wanted them to confront the fact: “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.” (1 Peter 4:3–5, ESV)
When you stand for something, others want to bring you down to their level. Yet, conviction makes you stand. How is your conviction for Christ today?
–Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
