Good to be Maligned

With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:4-5

Observation: Peter's encouragement of the church includes this - that the church members will be insulted because if their behavior, but not because they behave badly. Rather, they will be challenged and insulted because they refuse to behave badly yet consistently with the rest of society. While society engages in all sorts of bad behavior - in sexual sin, alcohol and drug induced parties, lawlessness, debauchery, earthly passions, and idolatry - members of the church will be looked down upon for refusing to do the same.

Application: This happens everywhere, daily, today. Society looks at 'the church' and insults us for ... not supporting gay marriage, or opposing birth control methods, or standing against certain movies. We are maligned because - in their eyes - we are not enlightened enough to understand the freedom others should have. They believe that by our non-participation or even active resistance, that we judge or even hate those who participate in these activities.

That is the trap, of course. To not condone the sin, while also not judging the sinners. From the outside, they seem very intertwined. From the church perspective, there is a difference, but that difference is very difficult to maintain. I try to do it. But mostly, I try not to be defensive and lash out when I am judged for not engaging in the culture.

Going forward, I will look at such malignment as a blessing.  When I am maligned, it is because others see something different in me. I want to be different. Therefore, challenging my position on such issues isn't a cause for defensive, but a compliment.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for your love and guidance in all matters. Today, may I be different from others. May I not be part of the ways of this world, and may that difference between myself and others cause others to question my thought process. In those moments, I pray for both peace of mind, and for your words so that I may guide others to know Jesus more and more. Amen.