Every Christian faces the same choice everyday: to pursue human passions, or to seek the will of God (4:2). But let’s face it: it usually doesn’t feel like much of a choice at all. For don’t we all tend to do what makes sense to us? Don’t we naturally want what feels good? If we have an opportunity to be happy or satisfied, don’t we tend to seize it?

But when we shift the focus of our lives onto ourselves, living strictly according to what makes sense or feels good to us, we necessarily leave the guardrails of God’s Word behind. And that, in turn, leads to the kind of behavior Peter describes in 4:3, a kind of behavior that is all too common today: a kind of behavior that is sooner or later not only destructive of society, but of the self.

So, what about the alternative: living a godly life? At first glance, it doesn’t seem very attractive. For holy living always involves sobriety and self-control (4:7), because that in turn maximizes our opportunities to serve and to show hospitality to one another (4:9-10). Living for the glory of God (4:11) always thus involves true love for one another (4:8), a love that focuses not on the desires of the self but on the needs of the beloved, a love that always moves beyond mere sentiment and into action.

So, if we want to follow Christ to the cross, living the same sort of life of self-denial and self-sacrifice, we shouldn’t be surprised when the self-centered world treats us the way it treated Him: as a fool at best, and as a dangerous subversive at worst. But when we find ourselves ostracized and despised by those who are living only for their selfish pleasures, Peter says we receive the greatest blessings of all: the certainty that we are on Jesus’ side, and the reality of the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit (4:13).

So, which path will you choose today? Where will you focus your time, attention, and resources? Will you give your soul in service to your faithful Creator (4:19)? Or will you keep chasing after the things of this world, all of which are coming to an end (4:7)?

I Peter 4:1-19 (NASB)

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
4 And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you;
5 but they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
15 By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?
19 Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.