Living Faithfully
Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 4
They do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
1 Peter 4:2
I met with a prayer circle that included a converted Muslim. His decision to follow Jesus resulted in being disowned by family, threats to his spouse, and fear of physical harm. Even so, because “the end of all things is near,” he resolved to live “for the will of God.”
Faith can face painful challenges. But because the Lord “set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), Peter articulates reasons for faithful living:
- God’s Son: Armed with Christ’s attitude, believers focus on eternal hope rather than temporary pain.
- God’s deliverance: Christians celebrate freedom from debilitating desires and the self-abuse of disobedience to God’s will.
- God’s judgment: Content that the Lord makes “everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), God’s children trust him who will judge justly.
- God’s encouragement: Encouraged by the Lord’s faithfulness, Christians serve to encourage fellow believers in their struggles.
- God’s glory: Rejoicing in salvation, believers accept suffering as the birthing room for God’s glory to be fully revealed.
Christians will continue to encounter pressure to disobey God. Yet they refuse to be blinded by circumstances and to live only for the moment. Instead, they live for Christ and his return!
Lord, when we are weary of attacks on our faith, strengthen us with eternal vision, encourage us with grace, and surround us with love. Amen.
About the author — Calvin Hoogendoorn
Rev. Calvin Hoogendoorn serves as senior pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Previously he served two churches in Illinois. He and his wife, Carla, have three daughters.
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