“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” -1 Peter 4:1-5

The Spirit’s Movement Today

As I have prayed and asked the Lord for what to write this week, He kept directing me toward 1 Peter 4. As I began to study, I think the timing of His counsel with the days in which we find ourselves is evidence of His wooing grace. From the Word of God to the streets of the Middle East, I see the hand of wooing grace.

I traveled to South Asia in September. Standing in a land that is 98% Muslim, I had no idea of the love of God for this country. In just a few days, more than 730 people gave their lives to Jesus. There is no barrier to the gospel in that country; there are just no workers who will go. The pastor told me, “No one comes here for ministry; they all come for human trafficking.” Yet when I was there, I sensed the Spirit of God moving well ahead of us to save those who never knew His name.

In less than two months, those 730 have multiplied to more than 1,500 and are filling the house churches to the brim! When we baptized many of these precious new believers in the Arabian Sea, it was clear to me that many in my arms may actually die for the gospel. The narrow road they were beginning to walk was not going to be easy.

The Cost of Following Christ

For those of us who are followers of Jesus, the same wooing grace is found in 1 Peter 4—that we would be found spotless at the return of Jesus, with our faith intact. We may or may not face the reality of martyrdom like so many across the globe. But the crucifixion of our own will and flesh is just as important to Jesus in these last days. He’s calling us up higher.

It is indeed promised we will suffer for what we hold as truth and endure great struggles as followers of Jesus. So, we arm ourselves with the same mind of Christ as He faced His own suffering. What He conquered is for our victory. What He took upon Himself is for our freedom. Do we have the same commitment as Christ as we face the struggles of our human reality? Oh, but for the wooing grace of God! A battle rages to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. But what was accomplished on the cross is for your victory. So, we can have that same attitude of determination in our pursuit of righteousness and holiness—the sacrifice of everything not of God will be worth it.

A Heart Transformed

A shift begins to happen when we are no longer willing to live for our human desires. It’s a beautiful process of consecration and sanctification when our hearts turn from our love of self and the world and the desires of our flesh to a heart cry for Christ alone. I think we will spend our earthly days working this out, in preparation for eternity. But Christ is familiar with our struggles and lives to intercede for us, declaring we are overcomers by His precious blood.

Living in the Last Days

How will we live the remainder of our days? It’s a question that weighs heavy in this hour because of two realities: there will be a great falling away of believers before the return of Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:3), and Paul prophesied in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 what the last days will look like. The struggle will be real for followers of Jesus. Where will we stand? What will be our choice? It’s something to ask the Lord to counsel us intimately so that we may not be caught off guard and lured away.

Peter is urging believers to step over the line, to look like Christ, and to determine in our hearts how we will live and who and what we will love in these last days. Good is being called evil and evil good right now. Look closely at the definitions for the activities (as defined in the Key Word Study Bible) Peter is pointing out:

• Debauchery: unrestrained behavior, depraved, promiscuity, self-indulgence, sensuality
• Evil desires: a longing for what is forbidden, covet, crave, lust, and passion
• Drunkenness: excess of wine
• Orgies: reveling and carousing (as if letting loose), merrymaking after supper, giddiness caused by overindulgence in wine
• Carousing: a drinking match, dissipation, drunkenness, too much wine, wild and frenzied drinking bouts
• Detestable idolatry: forbidden and unlawful service, worship, idol worship

That was our old way of life apart from Christ. But culture—even our Christian cultures now—justifies this list of sins according to grace. Let it not be said of us by the mercy of God! Oh, that we would love those who are struggling and snatch them from the fire (Jude 23). But let us consecrate ourselves afresh that we would live the rest of our days tethered tightly to Jesus and His righteousness!

The Power of Grace

“Perhaps at this point you are lamenting the fact that you’ve tried to live a holy life but, quite honestly, have failed more than you’ve succeeded. You long for intimacy with God, but you’ve struggled with obedience. Please know this up front: He longs for you more than you long for Him. Rejoice, for God is for you! … The law of Moses proved our inability to keep God’s commands; we require divine help. This needed assistance is none other than God’s grace. Most believers know the grace of Jesus Christ frees us from the law’s requirements, but what many don’t know is that it goes one step further: it grants us a new nature, giving us the potential to live free from sin (Romans 6:6-7).” -John Bevere, “The Awe of God”

The road is narrow for those of us who will spend our days following Jesus. It’s easier to look like the world and to blend in. But by the wooing grace of God, we can throw off everything that entangles us and run to Jesus! His forgiveness knows no bounds, and His plans for you and me of victory, righteousness, and healing are the abundance of who He is. He withholds nothing from those who love Him. Nothing. That’s the beautiful and intimate reality of repentance and returning—again and again.

One last point in this passage: We will give an account for how we have lived on the Earth, and we don’t get a do-over. This is our one opportunity to live it all for Him. And by His grace, you and I will stand before Him with His “well done,” our faith intact, and the evidence of people around the throne because of your faithfulness to go and bring the lost to Jesus.

“Your life on Earth is the most pivotal span of time in eternity. The moments matter—yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The past does not define you, but the things you did yesterday shape your future. The choices you make today carry over into the afterlife. The path you take tomorrow can shift the trajectories of your life and others’ lives.” -David Joannes, “See the City”

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” -Hebrews 12:1-3

Amen. Let’s go.

A Few Key Notes

• Christmas has come early thanks to a generous business partner. Burnett’s Christmas Lights has promised to donate half of the cost of light installation to Arise if a Dallas-Fort Worth area customer mentions “Arise” or “East-West.” Go to www.burnettschristmaslights.com to learn more or call Tim Burnett at 214.791.3777 for a free estimate!
• The Holy Fire Study with me and Tracy Edwards has begun in person and over Zoom. You are still welcome to join! To register or for more information, contact me at [email protected].
• Register for the Arise Christmas Luncheon at The Hope Center in Plano. Join us on December 12 as we hear from Safeeya Schnaufer, who will share stories of women who risk it all. Reserve your tickets and table sponsorships today!
• We have a $40,000 match in place from now until December 31 to expand the impact of Arise in our nation and the nations. Please consider making a year-end contribution to Arise by giving online.
• Arise has an Instagram page! For updates and encouragement, follow us: @eastwest_arise