October 16 | 1 Peter 4:3-6
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Do You Already Have "Senioritis"?
By Gene Pierce
"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. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit." (1 Peter 4:3-6)
I once reviewed a fourth year OSU student’s grades and was told, “Don’t be upset, remember D stands for Degree.” The attempt at humor didn’t change my feelings about the poor return I was getting for my daughter's tuition.
Even more so with our walk with Christ. No Christian should be lackadaisical about the vices Peter lists in today's passage. His disgust comes through clearly and his anger follows close behind. He knew all too well that even the most devout Christian can lose their focus and ignore or condone pagan, worldly behavior.
The 18th century English poet Alexander Pope described this dangerous progression of attitude towards sin: “We first endure, then pity, then embrace.”
Instead of ignoring these sins, Peter bluntly and correctly states that those who succumb to the world's vices and excesses will be judged, without the grace of the gospel to save them.
Therefore we should be single minded in our walk with Christ and stay strong in Christian virtues, not intimidated by the social pressure to “be part of the gang” or being labeled as a “Jesus freak” or “weird”.
Conforming to this world only undercuts the integrity of the gospel that we share with others.
Note: No Christian should be smug and self-righteous. Peter tells us to be ready to defend the faith with reverence and humility (1 Peter 3:15). (Just as our sinless Christ was humble.) Nor should we be "so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good."
So don’t play frisbee on the Oval when you should be standing strong in faith. Remember we are called to be “strangers in the world” (1 Peter 1:1) and a “royal priesthood, a chosen people, a holy nation for God” (1 Peter 2:9) and be light to your circles of friends, co - workers and neighbors.
The Spirit will empower you to ace those tests, share your faith authentically and receive praise from the Good Teacher.
PRAYER: Lord, make me a better advocate for you and the gospel of reconciliation, by the way I live and the things I say, to help others see the light of Christ and come to a living, obedient faith. Help me, because it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that this is possible. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gene Pierce is a longtime member of UALC and our International Missions Committee and former Council member, still learning how to balance life, work and faith. Gene and his wife Elaine are blessed to be parents of four and grandparents of nine.
Thank you Gene, for the encouragement to stand strong and not give in and participate in reckless living. For those we know and to whom we hope to bring the gospel of peace- we can keep in mind this text and the points on sharing from Aaron's sermon, and we can witness and bring the goodness of God - maybe even while throwing the frisbee with them on the Oval....(especially if we have already taken our exam.)