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Why I Must Remain Faithful

I want to talk to you this morning—not just about the road you're walking, but about the choices you're making on that road. Life is full of decisions. I’m sure you’ve felt that pressure too. I remember when I was younger, my parents would tell me, “You need to start thinking about your future—how you're going to live, how you're going to support yourself.” And they were right. Life brings us to those moments where we have to choose—what path we’ll take, who we’ll become, and ultimately, who we’ll serve. And let me tell you this—there is one decision that stands above every other: Will you serve God, or will you serve Satan? Because sooner or later, you’re going to reach a fork in the road. And the choice you make there won’t just affect your next few years. It’ll affect your eternity. That’s why I want to take you to 1 Peter 4, because Peter lays out some clear, powerful reasons why the right choice—the only choice—is to remain faithful to God. 1. Jesus Died for You — That Alone Should Anchor Your Faithfulness Peter opens chapter 4 by reminding believers that Christ suffered in the flesh. And if you belong to Him, you’re called to have that same mindset. He was beaten, mocked, spat upon. He was nailed to a cross—for you. John 3:16–17 tells me that God loved me enough to send His Son—not to condemn me, but to save me. Romans 5:6–9 says that Christ died for me while I was still a sinner. That’s not a love I can take lightly. 1 John 4:19 reminds me: I love, because He first loved me. If Jesus went through all that for me, how could I turn my back on Him now? 2. You’ve Already Spent Enough Time in Sin — Don’t Go Back In 1 Peter 4:3, Peter says that we’ve spent enough of our lives chasing after the world. Sensuality, selfishness, drunkenness, impurity—we’ve been there. And I know what that life brings—guilt, emptiness, separation from God. Romans 8:12–13 tells me not to live according to the flesh anymore—because that path ends in death. Romans 6 says I’m either a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. There’s no in-between. But only righteousness leads to eternal life. I’ve been set free from sin. I don’t want to go back. That old life? It led to nothing but shame. But this new life in Christ? It leads to joy, peace, and purpose. That’s what faithfulness is all about. 3. People Are Watching — Let Them See the Light of Christ in You 1 Peter 4:4 says the world is surprised when you don’t join them in sin. Sometimes they’ll mock you. But that’s when your faith shines the brightest. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14–16 that I’m the light of the world. And that light isn’t meant to be hidden. People are watching, and I want them to see the difference Jesus makes. Romans 14:7 reminds me that no one lives or dies to themselves. My choices affect others. My faithfulness can help lead someone else to Christ—or push them away. 4. Judgment Is Coming — Be Ready Peter gives us one of the clearest reasons to stay faithful in verse 5: “They will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” Hebrews 9:27 says it plainly: It is appointed for man to die once, and then comes judgment. 2 Corinthians 5:10 says we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. And Matthew 25:46 tells us there are only two outcomes: eternal punishment or eternal life. I know many of you have already made that most important choice—to follow Jesus. You reached the fork in the road, and you chose the narrow path. But maybe, just maybe, you’ve started to drift. Maybe life got busy. Maybe the world pulled you back a little. Let me remind you what’s waiting at the end of the faithful road: No more pain. No more sorrow. No more tears. Just joy. Just peace. Just eternal life with Jesus. That’s what Peter wants us to hold on to. That’s why I’m urging you today—stay faithful. Romans 8:6 says it beautifully: “To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” That’s the life I want. And I hope it’s the life you want too. But if you walk away—if you choose the other road—Romans 6:23 tells you what’s waiting: “The wages of sin is death.” I don’t want that for you. God doesn’t want that for you. What road are you on? If you’ve never obeyed the gospel—you still can. You can hear the Word, believe it, repent of your sins, confess Jesus as Lord, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. You’ll rise to walk in a new life—a faithful life. Or maybe you’ve already made that choice, but somewhere along the way, you lost focus. You drifted. You can come back. You can be restored. We’ll pray with you. We’ll walk with you. And God will forgive you. The choice is yours. It always has been.