For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
(1 Pet 4:3-5 KJV)
Do good! Do what is right! "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." (vs 3 NIV) No, you won't be too popular if you leave behind those things; but, you will be much more at peace with yourself as you begin to live in Christ.
As a former substance abuse counselor, I have found that one of the toughest things for someone in recovery to deal with is that when they finally decides to trust God for their recovery they lose most, if not all, of their old friends. Going in a different direction than the rest of the crowd can be a very lonely time. It does not bring much comfort to realize that the only reason they hung with us was because our substance abuse justified theirs. Once we realize that the path we've been on has caused only harm and turn around, our old friends and even family disappear. They are out of there. "They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you." (vs 4 NIV) And, they will heap abuse on you for not going along with the crowd in a life of destruction.
But, new friends will come with time. Friends that will share in the joy of living as a member of the Body of Christ with you. In Christ you are a new creation. "So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (1 Pet 4:19 NIV)
May the peace of the Lord be with you always! Live in his peace and ignore the drama this world would throw at you.
God's Peace - Pr. J.
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