Why do non-believers find it strange when Christians don't join in sin? Setting the Scene • 1 Peter 4:4: “They are surprised that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they malign you.” • Peter writes to believers scattered throughout a pagan culture, reminding them that their changed behavior will inevitably draw puzzled looks and even hostility. Why the World Finds Holiness Strange • Different compass – Believers have moved from self-rule to Christ’s rule. – Romans 6:22: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life.” • Exposed darkness – A righteous life shines a spotlight on sin. – John 3:19-20: “Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness… everyone who does evil hates the Light and does not come into the Light, lest his deeds be exposed.” • Reversed values – What culture labels “fun” or “normal,” Scripture often calls destructive. – Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” • Spiritual blindness – Until God opens the heart, unbelievers literally cannot see why sin is deadly. – 2 Corinthians 4:4: “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers.” Roots of the Believer’s New Lifestyle 1. New heart – Ezekiel 36:26: God promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” 2. New identity – 1 John 3:1: “The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” 3. New purpose – 1 Peter 2:9: “That you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 4. New power – Galatians 5:16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Typical Reactions We Can Expect • Surprise – non-believers genuinely wonder why believers decline the party, the gossip, the hookup. • Mockery or slander – Peter says they “malign” you. Holiness makes some feel judged even when no words are spoken. • Curiosity leading to questions – Others will ask, “Why are you different?” (cf. 1 Peter 3:15). • Occasional respect – Consistent purity can earn credibility, paving the way for gospel conversations. Living Out a Winsome Witness • Stay gentle – 2 Timothy 2:24-25: “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone.” • Keep perspective – John 15:18-19: “Because you are not of the world, the world hates you.” Rejection is ultimately aimed at Christ. • Remember your calling – Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” • Cultivate visible good works – Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Takeaway Believers no longer dive into the same “flood of reckless indiscretion” because they have been rescued from drowning in it. That rescue will look odd—even offensive—to those still swept along by the current, yet God often uses their surprise to open doors for the gospel. |
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