1 Peter 4:1-5 (MESSAGE)
Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.
You've already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it's time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don't understand why you don't join in with the old gang anymore. But you don't have to give an account to them. They're the ones who will be called on the carpet — and before God himself.
A person whose life changes radically at conversion may experience contempt from his or her old friends. He may be scorned not only because he refuses to participate in certain activities, but also because his priorities have changed and he is now heading in the opposite direction. His very life incriminates their sinful activities, this is best illustrated in Proverbs 9:13-18. Mature Christians should help new believers resist such pressures of opposition by encouraging them to be faithful to Christ.
No One ever told me that coming to Christ and living for Him would be easy, and my old party buddies didn't let them down. They made it hard, called me names, gave me tons of grief. The end result though is I am healthy, strong, happy and successful and unfortunately most of them are right where they were, smugly thinking to themselves how right they were. Pray for those people, but don't ever turn back. All that is left there is death and destruction and they are waiting to suck you back in so they don't have to die alone!
Be strong in your decision to follow Christ as your Savior and surround yourself with like minded believers to help you along your way.
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