A 2008 Barna Group survey asked adults what immoral behaviors they had engaged in during the past week. Of those surveyed: 28 percent had used profanity, 20 percent had gambled, 19 percent had viewed pornography, 12 percent had gossiped, 12 percent had gotten drunk, 11 percent had lied, 9 percent had sex outside of marriage.
The survey also revealed devastating results for adults under 25: 64 percent had used profanity, 38 percent had sex outside of marriage, 37 percent had lied, 33 percent had viewed pornography. Among believers, using profanity (16 percent) and pornography (12 percent) were the most common sins.
Living in a morally decadent world, the apostle Peter cautions us not to live like it. Outlook determines outcome. So Peter tells us to have the right attitude so we can live righteous lives (1 Peter 4:1).
• Be ready to suffer (v.1). Peter reminds us, “Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but He died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but He was raised to life in the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). Our identification with Christ’s suffering means victory over sin, for we died to sin and “now we also may live new lives” (Romans 6:2-4).
• Be ready to do the will of God (v.2). We’re not to live selfishly for the world’s pleasures (v.2). Instead, we should be eager to do God’s will. He desires that we be holy, avoiding all sexual sin (1 Thess. 4:3).
• Be ready to face God (v.5). Be warned. There is a holy God to whom everyone must give a personal account (Romans 14:12). God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
To live holy lives, we begin by telling God, “I’ve had enough. I’m finished with sin.”
More:
• Romans 6:1-14
• Galatians 5:16-21
• 1 Thessalonians 4:1-7
Next:
What immoral behaviors did you engage in during this past week? What is one persistent sin that you’ll say “I have had enough” to? Ask Jesus to free you from that sin.
yapdates on February 12, 2010 at 2:23 am
The context of 1 Peter is persecution. Led by Nero, many Christians were used as scapegoats for the burning of Rome. Thus, Peter’ exhorts the scattered believers to press on in faith and righteous living.
I believe the Barna 2008 survey is the one on “Young Adults and Liberals Struggle with Morality.” (http://bit.ly/89a7R); Our modern contexts are unlike Nero’s time.
Now, we face things that are more subtle. Like pride, greed, covetousness and many other ‘soft’ sins. The start point for living holy lives is not to say we are finished with sin. Sinners cannot stop sin on their own strength. Instead, may I suggest that our starting point is described via the prayer of the tax collector:
“God, have mercy on me, for I am a sinner.”
conrade
bedwards1317 on February 12, 2010 at 5:27 am
Pride is the most difficult thing for me and probably for most of us who are called followers of Christ.
I find at times that I am even proud of the fact that I am “a humble person”.
Pride comes before a fall. Been there!
Let’s pray for each other that our pride would be crucified and our humility genuine. I want to glorify Christ in all things.
ttdnt on February 12, 2010 at 6:58 am
And I fell, hard! I had just been reading in James about pride, humility….Apparentlly, I did not read and ingest it enough! I am back in the scriptures today!
fieldlily on February 12, 2010 at 7:40 am
We as Christians recognize that we are sinners as the tax collector did, but we are also like the pharisee. We look around us and say “how can that person act that way”. We don’t always acknowledge or recognize the sin we have fallen into. We gossip, criticize, look the other way, grumble and more.
Yes pride is a big issue because we don’t even realize we are being prideful. Sloth is a big one too (at least for me). We always want things done but can’t understand why no one will step forward to do anything, including us. We hear so much about being too busy that we are afraid of over committing. That in itself is a problem because the same people are doing everything because they are willing and no one else is stepping up, but sometimes no one else is stepping up because they figure they are not needed because the same people are stepping forward.
Question? How often are we taught in church about what is right before God? Most often it is taken for granted that we all know and should obey. But just as we can no longer assume that children are taught right from wrong at home, we need to reason that some who come into the church are uneducated and have not read the Bible.
Sometimes we need to have refresher courses to help us reevaluate our relationship with God. We sometimes think, as we do with our parents, we are grown-ups now and we know all there is to know about how to live our lives. How many of us have had to go to our parents for advice for making decisions? So it is with Christians, we need to go to GOD our Father, in prayer and in His Word, to get the answers for how we should live and advice in making right choices in our lives.
Koyo on May 12, 2010 at 12:40 am
I have this problem of being lazy and complain life and work a lot these days.
And I just found this article and comments.
Always to remind ourselves:-
1. Be ready to suffer
2. Be ready to do the will of God
3. Be ready to face God
Thanks for quoting the Bible verses too.
bethanyF on February 12, 2010 at 9:07 am
Everything that we do will be judged -ecclesiastes 12:14 hit me pretty hard. I need to submit all the things I do to God.
nejinikko on February 12, 2010 at 10:10 am
I no longer live, But Christ lives in me.. may the Holy Spirit work upon me.. and guide me in times of crisis.. Thank you Jesus..
PeeWee on February 12, 2010 at 10:30 am
When we say that we are finished with sin, I beleive that we are in essence saying that we realize that we are unable to navigate through life on our own. At this point, we are ready to submit to God’s control. I can speak from experience when I say that when you reach the point where you have had enough, you will know it and you will not hesitate to submit your will to God and you will mean it.
aloeweh on February 12, 2010 at 11:57 am
We have to remember that God doesn’t grade on a curve. Therefore, we shouldn’t compare ourselves to other people. It’s a waste of time. The only thing that matters is comparing ourselves to Christ–who is PERFECT! When we do that, we realize that being “good” (compared to others) is not enough. That’s the reason why He died on the cross for us–we aren’t perfect, but through His gift of grace–His death and resurrection–we are made perfect. Compare ourselves to the “self” that God intended us to be. We can do this by reading His word, because He tells us plainly who we should be and how we should behave and live. He will give us the strength to do all that. All we have to do is admit that we need Him and receive Him. Let Him be the boss of our lives.
MommaJ on February 15, 2010 at 8:54 am
“There but for the Grace of God, go I” isn’t scriptural, but it is the one phrase that keeps me from being prideful. In Him I live and move and have my being…so anything “I” accomplish, is actually the Grace of God moving thru me…I can’t take the credit. It’s also very very helpful when I find myself being judgement towards others. I can’t think I am better than the homeless begging on the street…if not for the Grace of God, that could be me!!! It’s God who has allowed me to be where I am and do what I do. So He gets all the credit…AND the gratitude!!