As we just celebrated Easter weekend, we can still have that vivid picture of Christ hanging on the cross, dying for our sin, and this can also be seen as a way of living for us today. Not that we start hanging ourselves on a tree with spikes, but the illustration that Jesus was done with sin on the cross because it was His decision, His will to do that for us. We too need to do the same and be done with sin.
Peter calls the church to not live as 'the pagans do', but to 'live according to God in regard to the spirit' (vs 6). Peter does also talk about the fact that we are going to have to give an account at judgement time in regard to our actions. We are not living to fulfill our desires, but to live according to the ways of God.
That's what makes us different, and sometimes that's what makes life harder. Peter encourages believers to live a holy life (1 Peter 4:4) and that some people will think us strange. This is were the Church needs to encourage each other, lift each other up, instead of tearing down. This is were we are called to encourage each other in our faith because we face the same choices every day .. whether or not to follow the ways of the world, the way of selfishness, or the way of holiness that God has set before us.
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