When the Question You’re Asking is, “How Do I Respond to this Mess?”

We laughed at his European knickers and the idiosyncracies of his speech and manner, but it was the early 80s! Any sort of multi-media education was sufficiently novel to meet with appreciation—especially at a conservative Christian college. Therefore, Francis Schaeffer’s How Should We Then Live? video series left its mark on my brain.

“How Should We Then Live” was a good question then, and it’s a great question forty years later. With any arena we address, whether it’s the culture or the political shenanigans or the media, our hands-in-the-air, palms-up, eyeballs-turned-toward-heaven response is automatic, because…
Well, how are we to respond to all the vitriolic, dumpster-fire stimuli our world is dishing out in 2023?

While You Wait…

The news is, indeed, oppressive, but here in North America, we have yet to experience anything close to the level of oppression faced by New Testament believers in the context of the Roman Empire. In his first epistle, Peter’s words were intended to comfort Gentile Christians in Asia Minor with reassurance based NOT in the hope of improved circumstances, but in the gift of their identity and purpose, secured by Christ’s death and resurrection. Their suffering was being taken up in the powerful story of salvation by a God who was known to bring glory out of suffering and life out of death.

Comfort is one thing. Marching orders are another, and Peter’s letter eventually answers the question, “How Should We Then Live?” Acknowledging fully that, yes, it looks as if things can’t get any worse, here’s how to put the life of Christ on display:

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.  Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:7-11

A Call to Action

I see three big-picture calls to action in Peter’s letter as he clarifies the mission of the early church under adverse conditions. His words burn away false hope and require a laser focus on the future hope of the return of Christ.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly…” (1 Peter 4:8)

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1. Keep loving one another in spite of—not because of.
   Genuine faith manifests itself in loving forbearance toward our fellow sinners. It’s great to love our families and our favorite people, but when it comes right down to it, we are called to love people in spite of their most annoying characteristics rather than because of any endearing qualities.
   How should we then live?
   Answer: In loving response to God’s forbearing love shown to us as miserable sinners.
2. Invite fellow sinners into your private space—and don’t be a grouch about it.
   Peter’s call to resist evil and show love and generosity goes beyond the boundaries of our besties. His words pick up where Jesus left off with an upside-down practice that sets Christians apart from our neighbors as we “bless those who curse [us] and do good to those who despitefully use [us]” (Luke 6:28).
   How should we then live?
   Answer: As if our homes are way stations and not fortresses!
3. Use your spiritual gifts for the glory of God.
   Again, generosity and a missional mindset are intended to cast us in the role of servants. Discerning where God is already at work, we roll up our sleeves and participate in his rescue plan in whatever unique manner we’ve been equipped for.
   How should we then live?
   Answer: Put the surprising generosity and love of Jesus on display by pouring out our lives in service to others for the glory of God.

• Staring down the barrel of another election year, bearing witness to all that is wrong in our world, how will YOU live?
• Which of Peter’s three calls to action is the most challenging for you?
• Will you choose one small action today to resist evil and practice “self-controlled and sober-minded” love?

Rather than adding to the flames or simply giving up and watching the world burn, let’s allow hard times to deepen our faith into something more generous that requires us to “serve by the strength that God supplies.”

Holding You in the Light,

The news is, indeed, oppressive. Rather than adding to the flames or giving up and watching the world burn, let hard times deepen your faith into something more generous that requires you to “serve by the strength that God supplies.”

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