“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:” (1 Peter 1:14).

Before one can obey he must know what to do to obey. Ignorance, whether in innocence or in willful rejection of the facts, has consequences to affect both the individual and those around the ignorant. Consider three products from ignorance.

1. Fears. A common expression that typifies an effect of ignorance is “fear of the unknown.” Humanity is often uncomfortable with matters of unfamiliarity. Not knowing what is in the dark or even not knowing how something will turn out has created all kinds of worry and irrational behavior. Ignorance is one of Satan’s greatest tools. It is quite interesting to note that a common expression in the Bible is “I would not have you to be ignorant” (1 Thess. 4:13). Read also these following passages along those same lines (cf. Romans 1:13; 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:1; 12:1; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Peter 3:8). Accurate knowledge dispels the fears that cripple the mind and life in anxiety. Peace and comfort come from the knowledge of the One who is always in control.
2. Fightings. Paul stated of his own conflict with Christ before his conversion, “I verily thought
   with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). He would later write to Timothy concerning that same time before his conversion, “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Tim. 1:13). Peter said to those Jews who sided with the crucifixion of Jesus, “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers” (Acts 3:17). Wars and fighting have often been propagated due to ignorance. There are times in the heat of conflict that one would dare ask the question “What are we really fighting for?” There has often been internal conflict with oneself because of not knowing what to do. Since God is not “the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33), a thorough understanding of the will of God through the study of the Bible brings light to those in darkness (cf. 2 Cor. 4:4).
3. Falling. Hosea professed the Lord’s declaration to the nation, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” (Hosea 4:6). When the psalmist stated, “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Ps. 73:2-3). He further states of such thinking, “So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee” (Ps. 73:22). Isaiah wrote of the ignorant, “Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst” (Isa. 5:13). When people do not like to retain the knowledge of God in their minds, depravity in all its forms is soon to follow (cf. Rom. 1:28-32). Therefore, Peter exhorts to the obedient ones, “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:15).

Jimmy Clark

“And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside
thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but
speak forth the words of truth and soberness” (Acts 26:24-25).

Luke records that there were two different perspectives concerning Paul’s words. What one called madness the other called truth and soberness. Is this not the way many things are in the world? The Bible states the facts as they are and the world sees things from a different perspective. Consider three topics found in the Bible that show a difference in perspective.

1. Message of the Gospel. Paul wrote, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a
   stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:23-24). Unbelievers do not see the message of the gospel in the same way that believers see it. The fact is that all are capable of seeing the truth in the message (cf. Eph. 3:4; John 8:32) but prejudice and the like cause the mind to be blinded from the facts (cf. Eph. 4:17-21; 2 Cor. 4:4). The heart of the gospel is found in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-4). When people deny that they have sins to be forgiven and see life as a temporary time to enjoy all that one can in sinful ways, the message of the gospel does not have the same effect. When one realizes that sin is the root of all problems and that Christ is the answer for sin and the cemetery, then the message of the gospel takes on new light.
2. Mortality. Paul wrote, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most
   miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:19-20). A purely materialistic view of life basically says, "let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die” (1 Cor. 15:32). The resurrection of Christ asserts that this mortal life will be overcome by immortality (cf. 1 Cor. 45-57). This is how Paul could say “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). Again, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13). The resurrection of Christ guarantees a judgment day (cf. Acts 17:31) by which all shall receive the recompense of their deeds (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10). Therefore, the believer does not see this mortal life and the end of it the same way as the unbeliever does.
3. Money. One of the most glaring differences in perspectives between the godly and the ungodly concerns money. The Bible does not say in vain, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:10). Timothy was exhorted to “flee these things” (1 Tim. 6:11). Some had the perspective “supposing that gain is godliness” (1 Tim. 6:5). The truth of the matter is found in the words “but godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Tim. 6:6-8). Worldly materialism is one of the great dangers (cf. Luke 8:14; James 4:4). Being a good and faithful servant is the proper perspective of life (cf. Matt. 25:21-40).

Jimmy Clark

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Jesus had revealed several facts that could trouble the heart.  However, the troubles about to come would not create despair if the disciples held on to what Jesus said to them that very night.  The pressures or tribulation that would be true of the world could not overcome the peace that Jesus would provide in the coming days.  His resurrection from the dead would be the fact of all facts to turn cowardly disciples into courageous ones.  Nevertheless, they would need his words to sink deep into their memories for the crisis at hand.  Consider some of the encouraging words that were given to give courage in the middle of crisis.

1. Faith in Deity. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).  The foundation of virtue or moral courage is faith.  Peter wrote, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; . . .” (2 Peter 1:5).  John wrote in one of his letters, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).  Paul wrote of faith, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph. 6:16).  Too many in the world find themselves trying to deal with personal crisis with little or no faith in God.  Such does not have to be the case where the Bible is read and respected.
2. Faithfulness to the Word. Jesus said, “Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in the Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:19-21).  The love of God (cf. John 3:16) and the love of Christ (cf. John 15:13) were about to be fully shown in the death of Christ.  The love of the disciples is highly dependent upon their love for the word Christ gave and their keeping it.  How one treats the word has everything to do with dealing with crisis.  Jesus again stated, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10).
3. Focus Together on Their Love for One Another.  Jesus stated, “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come: so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:33-34).  After the death of Christ, they are going to need to stick together like never before.  Judas Iscariot will hang himself (cf. Matt. 27:5).  Peter will go out and weep bitterly having denied knowing Jesus (cf. Matt. 26:75).  All of the disciples will forsake him (cf. Mark 14:50) as Jesus foretold (cf. Mark 14:27).  However, the record shows that they stayed together through the hardest of times (cf. Luke 24:9).  The church is truly a remarkable group of people who band together in times of crisis due to the love of Christ within.                         

Jimmy Clark

“For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles – when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you” (1 Peter 4:3-4 NKJV).

The life of a Christian is as different as light is to darkness (cf. Rom. 13:12).  The world sees it and sometimes lets the Christian know that it is seen as distinctively different.  Peter addressed the fact that the unconverted world will not like such a distinctive lifestyle.  The Christian must clearly understand the nature of living the godly life in the midst of a “crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Eph. 2:15).  The Christian’s pure life is not popular with the world.  Consider three thoughts from this distinctive yet unpopular lifestyle.

1. The Past. The Holy Spirit through Peter does not ignore nor deny that the lifestyle of a Christian before conversion is one of the world.  He specifically states, “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles” (1 Peter 4:3).  Peter lists some of the former practices in that same verse.  It is interesting to note that the Gentile practices were a lifestyle mirrored in idolatrous activities.  Various works of the flesh (cf. Gal. 5:19-21) are given to paint the picture.  One interesting item of note is the listing of the terms “ drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties” (1 Peter 4:3 NKJV).  Sometimes the question is asked, “Where in the Bible is social drinking condemned?”  This is the passage that I reference to answer that question.  Drinking parties were just that.  Beverage alcohol as a social drink was and is a commonplace practice of the world.  The very phrase “let’s party” to someone of the world is considered to be synonymous with the presence of alcohol.  Today, alcoholic drinks are called “adult beverages.”  The list of practices in verse three are distinctive of a lifestyle of the world.
2. The Present. Verse four shows a stark contrast of lifestyle keenly noticed by the world.  “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:” (1 Peter 4:4).  It must be clearly seen that a Christian lives a 180-degree change from its former lifestyle.  The Christian no longer runs with that crowd but it trying to show the unconverted a better life to live.  Paul knew the danger of Christians trying to mix the world with the Christian lifestyle (cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-16).  He wrote to the Corinthians, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Cor. 6:17).  Conformity to the world is forbidden (cf. Rom. 12:2).
3. The Perception. The world calls the lifestyle of the Christian “strange” (1 Peter 4:4), “speaking evil of you” (1 Peter 4:4).  Why would a Christian think that odd?  Ignorance and self-indulgence has never understood the converted life to Christ.  The perception of the Christian is seen in the words “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2).  A purified soul (cf. 1 Peter 1:22) does not desire to go back into sin (cf. 2 Peter 2:22).  While the Christian is persecuted for his lifestyle, he is not ashamed (cf. 1 Peter 4:16).  His life is for pleasing God.

Jimmy Clark