Are we surprising anyone?

In 1 Peter 4:1-5, the apostle reminded the suffering saints of who they were in Christ, what they left behind, and the response of their new birth in Christ from outsiders.

“Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of me, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

The inward change of the hearts of the saints which produced outward changes in their conduct was so clear, those who used to know them were now shocked! This reminds me of the apostle Paul and his conversion in Acts 9, where many were surprised at the complete change in his life. In Acts 9:18-21 it reads, “And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’” All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on his name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound the chief priests?” What else I find interesting about this text is that Paul didn’t hide his conversion. He went right back to where he would have been “the synagogues” to the same audiences but with a new message!

Even the saints in Jerusalem were surprised at Paul’s conversion. So much so, they didn’t initially accept him. In Acts 9:26, it reads, “When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.”

Early saints surprised people by their devotion to God. The apostle Paul surprised and amazed people at his sudden transformation. How often are we surprising others?

So, how might we be able to surprise people? Not in the sense where the spotlight is on us, but rather in that God is glorified and His kingdom borders are expanded even more.

Below are some thoughts to consider.

1.        By our response in the midst of suffering, 1 Peter 1:6-8. Early saints often suffered and yet were still able to maintain their faith and work for God, Acts 8:1-4.

2.        By abstaining from fleshly lusts, 1 Peter 2:11. Disciples of Jesus are in a constant war against fleshly lusts. The devil seeks to destroy us, 1 Peter 5:8. Yet we can be victorious through Christ. How we abstain and practice self-control with what we say, what we watch, what we wear, and where we go will surprise many.

3.        By our marriages, 1 Peter 3:1-7. Many marriages end in divorce. Christian marriages present a great opportunity to influence our neighbors and community for good. When wives humbly submit to their husbands and husbands honor their wives, people around us will be surprised, because that just doesn’t happen frequently.

4.        By our love for one another, 1 Peter 3:8-9. Brethren who genuinely love God will genuinely love one another. This love will be seen in word and deed through actions like mercy and forgiveness.

Do we surprise anyone? Hopefully so! Let’s live in a way where God is glorified!