1 Peter 4:4 KJV
[4] “wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:”
The world will never understand why Christians live the way we do. They view the Christian life as a life of drudgery and bondage. They cannot understand why we would want to separate from worldly pleasures and philosophy to live a life dedicated to Christ. It makes no sense to unbelievers because they are still dead in their trespasses and sins. Satan has blinded their minds, and their only hope is to hear the gospel and be saved.
Peter says in this verse that they think it strange that we do not run with them. What a blessing to see a sinner get saved and walk away from their old life of sin. However, it is confusing to those who have never been born again. They lack the life and desire saved people have through knowing Christ, so they cannot comprehend or accept our new life.
Peter goes on to say that they will speak evil of you. Child of God, do not worry about what this lost world says about you. If all they have to say is slander and lies, then rest assured that they have seen the light of Christ shining through you. We also cannot be offended by their comments because we are not trying to please the world. We owe the world the gospel, but we do not owe them an explanation as to why we live the way we do.
Remember, this world is not our home, and unsaved people are not our crowd. We should always be loving, kind, and compassionate to the lost, but we should never try to please them by backsliding and becoming what we used to be. Even though the world may despise Christianity, they have no respect for hypocrisy. They do notice those who are true and faithful to the Lord. The world may be blind, but they are not stupid. They know who is genuine and who is fake. They understand the difference between the ones who only profess Christ and the ones who live holy lives. What is most shocking is that the world may think it strange for Christians to live a life of separation, but they do expect it if you are a genuine Christian.
Dear reader, who do you run with? If it is the same crowd you ran with before you claimed to be saved, then you should examine your soul to be sure you are truly born again. If salvation doesn’t bring you out of this world, I am concerned whether it will take you to the glory world. I understand that if going to church is all you have ever known, then you are still with the same crowd, but the difference is that you now have life and not just religion. You connect with the things and people of God now that you are His.