PETER PICTURES THE PROBLEM OF SIN

 

      Sin is a powerful force which controls, corrupts and condemns mankind. The only answer to the sin problem is the precious blood of Jesus. (1 Peter 1:18-19.) Peter pictures the problem of sin in these words, "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, 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. 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. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." (1 Peter 4:1-6.)

 

      Peter gives a powerful picture of sin by contrasting two lifestyles. One lifestyle he calls "the will of God." The other he calls "the will of the Gentiles."  The picture is that of the joy of a life dedicated to God and tragedy of a life dissipated by sin. Peter pictures sin just as it is.

 

      SIN IS A WASTED LIFE. Peter said that because Christ suffered for us, "he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God." (1 Peter 4:2.) The blood of Jesus removes the control sin has over our lives. You should not live the "rest of your time" to the will of the Gentiles. The rest of your life should be devoted to the will of God. Sin is a wasted life. If you are living in sin you have been wasting your life.

 

      Peter even boldly named some of the sins on which they had been wasting their lives. He said, "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." (1 Peter 4:3.) Preachers always try to get people out of sin so they will be prepared to die. But, better yet, let us get out of sin so we will be prepared to live. Why waste any more time living for the Devil? No one will ever come to the end of life and regret serving the Lord Jesus Christ. On the other hand many will regret lives wasted on sin.

 

      What a waste when people do not live their lives for God and then hope to be saved on their death beds. Do not waste your life living for the Devil and then hope to give God the scraps of a wasted life at the end!

 

      SIN IS A WICKED LIFE. Listen carefully to Peter’s words as he pictures the wicked life of sin. "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." (1 Peter 4:3.) Peter begins this list with the word "lewdness" (NKJV) or "lasciviousness" (KJV). Lewdness is sin that is unashamed or sin that does not blush. There are sins which should shock and disgust us and yet the world does not even blush at these sins. The people who commit these sins are not ashamed. They parade our streets. They rally to promote their sinful lifestyles. "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed, nor did they know how to blush." (Jeremiah 8:12.)

 

      Sin is brazen. Sin flaunts itself in the face of almighty God. "Sin that used to slink down back alleys now struts down Main Street." The Bible calls this "lewdness" or "lasciviousness."

 

      Peter also shows that the wicked life in­volves lust. This includes sexual lust but it in­volves any unlawful desire that we have. You will never find what the heart yearns for by sinning in your life. Jesus is the only answer because He breaks the control of sin and removes the corruption of sin.

 

      Another part of this wicked life is being out of control and unsober. Peter names "drunkenness, revelries and drinking parties" as sins of the flesh. Happiness does not come from a can, a bottle, or some powder or pill. These cause unholy and unruly behavior. This ungodly lifestyle is a burden to family life and society in general.

 

      Those who live according to the will of the Gentiles are also guilty of "abominable idolatries." The pagan lifestyle worships anything and everything but God. They worship money, pleasure, fame, fun; everything but God! "They love everything but God and fear everything but sin." Sin is a wasted life and sin is a wicked life.

 

      SIN IS A WARPED LIFE. Not only are those living according to the will of the Gentiles going to be involved in these sins but also, "they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you." (1 Peter 4:4.) They will think you are strange for not doing those same sins! They think it strange that you do not run with them from one spiritual garbage pile to another.

 

      They think we are the ones who are strange. They think we are the ones who need to change. They even speak evil of us. They speak evil of you because you don't run with them to the same "flood of dissipation" or "excess of riot."

 

      They are eating molded bread but we are sharing the bread of life. And they wonder why we will not go with them. They run from gutter to gutter trying to find fulfillment and they think we are strange. The "will of the Gentiles is a warped life where people think bad is good and good is bad and they cannot understand why you will not go with them. God still says, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20.)

 

      There is a day of reckoning coming! "They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." (1 Peter 4:5-6.) There is coming a day of reward! "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth -- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." (John 5:28-29.) Sin controls, corrupts and finally condemns. But, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1.) Are you in Christ? (Galatians 3:26-27.) Is your life according to "the will of God?" Jesus gives us a hope that is both sure and steadfast. Are you enjoying victory over sin through the cross of Christ?

 

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA

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