Remember Your Purpose

“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, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.” (1 Peter 4:3)

As he wrote to his brethren, Peter did not ask exactly how long each Christian had spent behaving in a worldly manner. Even though he mentions time, the amount of it is not the point. Any amount of time spent engaging in sinful, worldly behavior is more than enough. Christians should never desire more time to engage in worldly activities, as those who continue willfully in them insult the sacrifice of Christ by them (Heb. 10:29).

Rather than a desire for more time for godless behavior, Christians desire more time to engage in works that benefit their brethren. Peter continued in 1 Peter 4:8-10:

“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Godless behavior wears many masks. One of them is shaped like politics. The unrighteous and unjust actions of the world are concerning. As you consider how to move forward in a godly and God-trusting manner, do not forget your brethren. Do not let your mind linger on the troubles of the world to the neglect of your brethren whom God desires to bless through you. The governments of the world are not beyond God’s power. He is the One who uses them as He wills (cf. Is. 10:5ff; Rom. 13:1ff). Let God deal with the government. You, Christian, be about the business of spreading the gospel to the souls near you (Phil. 1:27-30).