4In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
Unbelievers look at Christians like we are nuts. They see their fleshly living as sophistication; they are above and beyond prudish, Victorian restraints. In their minds, hedonism—the devotion to pleasure—is a more advanced philosophy of life. The “sophistication” of sin blinds people, even to the point of being wholly bewildered that not everyone sees their sophistication. Why should anyone not let their enjoyments run their full course? But from a godly perspective, living for pleasure and calling it refined is like putting jewelry on a pig and calling it elegant.
The faux sophistication of hedonism is nothing more than tacky wallpaper plastered on an old wall. Fleshly living, despite being cleverly packaged in an appealing narrative, is nothing new. How ridiculous, then, for unbelievers to mock believers who live by restraints on the flesh, as though we are old-fashioned, naïve, or prudish. The lifestyle they embrace is what Peter describes as “the same excesses of dissipation,” that is, the same excesses that they claim to enjoy, and that all unbelievers living by the flesh have claimed from ancient times. Their philosophy is always the same: life is best experienced by living for oneself and one’s own pleasures.
This, of course, is shortsighted. They soothe their consciences by seeking crowd affirmation. The more wanton, self-centered people that surround them, the less guilty they will feel. Thus, they want us to run with them, using mockery as their verbal manipulation tool. But judgment is coming, by the God of the living and the dead. He is the authority over all, the judge beyond whom there is no appeal.
Imagine the horror of the person standing before the Great White Throne (Rev. 20:11) upon hearing God say, “Explain to me why you mocked believers who did not join you in your sinful lifestyle.” No amount of words, gaslighting, or spinning a distorted narrative will hide the intentions of the heart. God will hold everyone accountable.
We do much better to move on beyond fleshly living so as “to live the rest of our lives . . . in line with the will of God.” This removes all fear of judgment, and it neutralizes the temptation and sin that want to grab our hearts. Living in God’s will carries more motivation for us than the enjoyments of the flesh or the avoidance of persecution. This is sanctifying the Lord Jesus in our affections.
Lord, let the world be surprised, but I want to live by Your will, not theirs.
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