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"The will of the Gentiles"

Text: 1 Peter 4:3

REMEMBERING OUR LIFE BEFORE FAITH IN CHRIST

We cannot rewind our life. We cannot but remember with sadness what our life was like before we came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“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.”
1 Peter 4:3

1. “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime”

a) “Past lifetime”

i) This is not a reference to a previous life.

ii) It is a reference to the past.

b) Much time

i) Much depends on when we came to faith in the Lord.

ii) For some, much time was spent in sinful activities.

2. “In doing the will of the Gentiles”

a) The word “Gentiles” was employed.

i) Not because Peter was against them.

ii) It may be regarded as a synonym for the word “world”.

b) “The will of the Gentiles”

i) Gentiles were the majority.

ii) Jews were the minority.

iii) Believers would also be in the minority.

iv) Often, the will of the majority prevails (The will of the Gentiles).

v) This does not mean that believers are to be excused.

vi) This is just a fact that had to be stated.

3. “When we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries”

a) “When we walked”

i) The word “walk” was used to describe a lifestyle.

ii) There was a time in the past when sin reigned.

b) Expressions of a lifestyle that reflected worldliness (will of the Gentiles):

i) Lewdness

This means “indecency”.

ii) Lusts

This is a reference to fleshly passion.

iii) Drunkenness

The person has a drinking problem.

iv) Revelries

This is a reference to orgies.

v) Drinking parties

This is related to the word above. It is a reference to drinking orgies.

vi) Abominable idolatries

Many temples in the ancient days promoted sexual promiscuity. Idolatry and temple prostitution were associated.