Hope Beyond Culture

By Yeshin Clemente

I am dedicating this post to my Mentor Jenny, who impacted everyone of her life and dedication to God that includes our Family.

In 1 Peter 4:1–6, the apostle gives some marching orders to Christian soldiers who are stationed on this foreign soil. He opens the subject by addressing a Christian’s behavior before a watching world with the connective word, therefore. Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose. (1 Peter 4:1a and 1 Peter 3:18,22)

Peter exhorts the saints to arm themselves with the same mind that Christ had regarding unjust punishment. The Greek word translated “arm yourselves” was used of a Greek soldier putting on his armor and taking his weapons. The noun of the same root was used of a heavy – armed foot soldier that carried a pike and a large shield.

The Christian needs the heaviest armor he can get to withstand the attacks of the enemy of his soul. This word picture offers a blunt reminder that we Christians are not living on this earth as carefree tourists. We are not vacationing our way to heaven. We are soldiers on raw, pagan soil. Everywhere around us the battle rages. The danger is real, and the enemy is formidable.

Christ died not only to gain victory over sin’s dominion but to equip us for that fight – to give us the inner strength we need to stand against it. Therefore... We are to arm ourselves with the strength that Christ gives because our purpose in life is the same as His. Not to realize that you are in a conflict means one thing only, and it is that you are hopelessly defeated... You do not even know it – you are unconscious!

It means that you are completely defeated by the devil. Anyone who is not aware of the fight and a conflict in a spiritual sense is in a drugged and hazardous condition. (1 Peter 4:1–3)

Fortunately those who are “in Christ” have been transformed. This transformation brings with it at least four benefits that Peter mentions. We no longer serve sin as our master (v.1); we don’t spend our days overcome by desires as we once did (v.2b); we now live for the will of God (v.2b); we have closed the book on godless living (v.3)

Before Christ entered our lives, we had no power to withstand sin. When temptation came along, we yielded. We were unable to do otherwise. When the weakness of the flesh appeared, we fell into its trap. Through we may have looked strong on the outside, we had no inner stability. But when Christ took up residence in our lives, He gave us strength so that we could cease serving sin as a master. (Romans 6)

What is so liberating about our relationship with Christ is that He fills the void in our lives that we once tried to fill with all that garbage. With the void filled, the gnawing emptiness that had accompanied it is gone too. And with the emptiness gone, we no longer crave the things we used to crave. While we may live in this foreign land, far from our ultimate home, we live for the will of God.

As a result, there is a marked contrast between our lifestyle and the lifestyle of the pagans – people who do not know the Lord – around us. And we don’t partake of that lifestyle, we are considered “weird”. Look how Peter describes the reaction of the unsaved world. (1 Peter 4: 4). That’s were Christians are different from the world. That’s where we stand out. That’s where the light shines in darkness.

And invariably the darkness reacts to such light.

Talk about the relevance of Scripture. Peter sounds like he is alive today! Any lifestyle restraint, no matter how tactful we try to be, makes unbelievers uncomfortable. Sometimes it makes them defensive and angry, causing them to lash out at us as though in living our lifestyle we were judging theirs. Let me tell you what’s happening.

The pagan crowd will never tell you this, but down deep inside, many of them envy you. They wonder, how does she do that? How can he no longer do these things? I’m not able to stop. What in the world has made the difference? And when you get them alone, its remarkable how many of them will really listen as you tactfully and graciously tell them what has transformed your life.

You want to know how to really shock the pagan crowd? Live an authentic Christian life. No fanfare, of course. No need to wave John 3:16 signs at a ball game. Or embarrass your colleagues by loudly spouting Bible verses to your unsaved friends at work.

That’s offensive, not winsome. Just keep three things in mind – three simple but workable suggestions, not at all complicated.

• First, continue living for Christ. That means being different on purpose. Let your integrity speak for itself.
• Second, expect to be misunderstood. Don’t be surprised when ugly things are said or false accusations are made or twisted statements are passed along about your life.
• Third, keep your eyes fixed on Christ. Stay on a steady course. Keep on being different. Live an authentic godly life and you’ll blow the world away.

Your ideal is what you wish you were. Your reputation is what people say you are. Your character is what you are. It's time to make a difference. Stay fit for Jesus, in due times you will reap the harvest.

Be blessed….