Every Christian faces the same choice every day: to pursue human passions, or to seek the will of God (v. 2). But let’s face it – many times, it 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, we necessarily leave the guardrails of God’s Word behind. And that, in turn, leads to the kind of behavior Peter describes in verse 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’s the alternative? At first glance, living a godly life doesn’t seem very attractive. For holy living always involves sobriety and self-control (v. 7), because that in turn maximizes our opportunities to serve and to show hospitality to one another (vv. 9-10). Living for the glory of God (v. 11) always thus involves true love for one another (v. 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 in living such a 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 (v. 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 (v. 19)? Or will you keep chasing after the things of this world, which is coming to an end (v. 7)?

I Peter 4:1-19 (ESV)

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;
5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies– in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.