They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
Summary: Peter offers us insight into what to expect when we turn our back on the world’s ways. Social pressure is a real thing and surprisingly powerful when we are confronted with it face to face.
Have you ever been up against a force of nature that overpowered you? I’ve seen videos of tornados that have ripped giant trees out of the ground and tossed houses off of their foundations. Every once in a while you hear about someone who is picked up by a storm. When that happens, you are going where the wind takes you.
Some beaches are notorious for their rip tides. Water currents near the surface move swiftly away from the beach and can take swimmers where they don’t want to go. The force of these currents are overpowering. You can escape them, but you can’t fight them. They are too strong.
Wind and water currents are both invisible to the eye. There is another kind of current that is also invisible, and as powerful. It is the current of social pressure. It is easy to laugh it off as something that happens to “other people,” but it is no laughing matter when it happens to you.
The power of getting in someone’s face is amazing to watch. Confrontation is a dangerous ploy in people. There is always a chance of pushing someone over the edge. Maybe that “edge” is a sudden punch in the nose. Sometimes it is more destructive. (We seem to be seeing a lot of this kind of behavior these days.)
It is a weird thing when someone is doing something wrong. At some level, everyone agrees on what is right and what is wrong. On another level, some of us admit it when we are wrong, and some of us deny it. The deniers seem to double down on their denials when challenged. If they are in denial, it doesn’t take much to challenge them. Simply saying “No” is considered an insult. “They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.”
The force of social pressure, like a riptide or a tornado, can sometimes carry us away. If we resist in our own strength, we can be overwhelmed. In Christ, we have an advocate and a source of strength. In Christ, we have a reason to endure the suffering of social rejection.
Two thousand years ago, a man named Peter wrote a letter about social pressure. (John 18:15-27) He knows what it feels like. Standing by a fire in the cold dark hour before dawn, a servant squints at him in recognition. Peter’s heart pounds and the blood rushes through his ears. His body tenses in anticipation. “Didn’t I see you with Jesus…?” The question hangs in the cold air for what seems like an eternity. Then Peter hears himself deny that he knows Jesus for the third time. In that same nightmarish moment, the rooster crows. Peter is reminded of Jesus prophetic words, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me and fold before social pressure like a cheap kite collapsing in the wind.” (Jeff’s Version of John 13:28)
Some things never change.
Application: Pray for strength and courage in the face of social pressure.
Food for Thought: As Christians, how should we respond when people heap abuse on us?
Jesus said, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6: 27 -28). Jesus said we should respond with love, blessing, prayer and actions that back those up. That is a high standard. One Jesus did well and we will need His help to follow in His footsteps. Lord, help us to do what You have called us to do to love others like You love us every day.
Rich is right!
As Christians, how should we respond when people heap abuse on us?
The answer to this question is the answer to another question.
Why do all Christians remain on earth, after they have secured eternal salvation through Jesus Christ?
1 John 2:6, Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 Peter 2:21, For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
Galatians 3:27, For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
The day the old me died and the new me was born in Christ, I truly became a new person. It has taken time to grow into this new person, but my mission from God has remained the same. Let Christ in me be seen by others in all circumstances. This includes any type of abuse people would choose to send my way.
I lost family and friends because I had chosen Christ. I suffered greatly in business because when out of town, I would go to my room after dinner rather than go out on the town and get drunk with associates. I tried to compromise so they would not be offended, but our Lord made it clear, Christ had not compromised for me, what made me think I should compromise for Him. Live in Christ no mater what the circumstances and all will be well.
Ron,
Interesting question! Why are we still here? I think that there are a lot of aspects to the answer. I agree that a major part of the answer is being here to testify about Jesus. Not just in words but also in deed.
Agreed sir.
Let Christ serve others as He speaks and acts through us.
Blessings
I agree. It is hard sometimes because of pride. One sin I am at battle with constantly.
You’re not alone Tim. MC did a number on us, takes some time to come down. We just need to let Christ do His work.
Blessings Brother,
Ron