A call to an alternative lifestyle: I Peter 1:13-16 overview

We are getting into some really exciting passages in I Peter....there's so much here for us, it's like one of those vegetable sacks at the farmers' market -- so stuffed full that it's about to burst! Each verse is packed with enough goodies to keep us studying and learning for quite a while!

I thought it might be good to give ourselves an overview of this next group of verses. Then we'll zero in on them and immerse ourselves in what the Spirit has for us.

Sound good?
Great!
Let's read first:

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (I Peter 1:13-16)

We hear a lot today about "alternative lifestyles." It's a term that is used on news shows, and in everyday discussions, too. What does it mean? Well, it is a pretty wide range of meanings....

Wikipedia, a secular resource, says this: "an alternative lifestyle is a lifestyle diverse in respect to mainstream ones..."

I guess you and I might think of those who affect wildly different apparel (or no apparel at all), different food or medicine options, many different practices.

Have you noticed, though, that more and more, Christianity is regarded as "out of the mainstream," and "not the cultural norm"?  About(dot)com even says: "a philosophy or way of thinking that differs from mainstream culture or society, for example,....Abrahamic belief systems."
Wow.
That includes Jewish people, Muslims, and ..... wait for it......Christians.

Has the world turned upside down or what?
How different is that outlook from that of our own grandparents, or their parents?
In today's world, it's not just that the lines between right and wrong have been blurred. It's that wrong has become right! Lies have become truth! As my grandma would say, the turtle's been flipped over on his back, and somebody needs to turn him back!

I truly believe that God has always expected and planned for His people to live outside of what the world says is the cultural norm. There are many verses in the Word that tell us we've been called to live according to His plan, and fulfilling His purpose. We all are familiar with the verses that talk about being chosen, and set apart. We have been forgiven and saved -- why? So that we can live for Christ!
Our alternative lifestyle challenges the moral attitudes around us. It flies in the face of most of the political and social ways of thinking in this world.

Our alternative lifestyle proclaims the truth of the Gospel of Christ to a broken and sin-weary world. We are instructed to be salt and light in that world. Not swimming along in the same channels. Nope. To be salt and light, we have to live, and speak, and act in ways that bring honor and glory to Him.

Our alternative lifestyle has been called a narrow path:

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Oh boy. That's a wake-up call, no? Are we scared to quote that? Do we cringe because others might say we are intolerant?
We're just stating the facts....if we ignore God, and reject salvation from His Son Jesus, we will stay on the broad path to hell. If we obey God, and accept Jesus as our Savior, we have eternal salvation and a home in heaven.

I believe that instead of worrying about being "politically correct," we need to follow in the steps and example of Jesus. Did He sugar-coat the truth? Soft-pedal His message?
Here, I'll let you decide:

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. (John 14:6-7, 23-24)

He isn't "a" way. He's "the" way.  And we are called to follow Him, and obey Him, because we love Him so much -- He loved us so much!

In this section of I Peter, Peter is reminding us of something we may have forgotten: we are meant to live an alternative lifestyle from that of the world. Our lives are to be lives of faith, of service, and of trusting in Him......in short, our lives are to be holy.

Do we act differently from the world?
Do we think differently from the world?
Is there ANYTHING that sets us apart, or makes people looking at us think we are different?

Would you please pass that box of bandaids for my toes?
And please join me tomorrow.....