Illustration: Have you ever been blessed by having a godly person in your life? My father-in-law was such a man to me. He died a few years ago but I still sense his presence each day. His mannerisms, his laugh, his kindness, and ways of encouraging each person with whom he came into contact—they all still surround me. He gave off what Scripture calls a fragrant aroma of kindness (2 Cor 2:14-16, e.g.). When you parted from him, you mysteriously felt uplifted, encouraged, restored to a spirit of hopefulness.

Segue: This coming Lord’s Day at our church, I’ll be teaching 1 Peter 4:1-6. Those verses concern the matter of gospel distinction. That is, Christians, Peter teaches, are to be known for their witness. They’re not to be obnoxious or prideful or worldly. They’re to live lives like Randy lived—lives transformed by the grace of God. Peter says we’re not to live lives characterized by “sensuality, passion, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry” (1 Pt 4:3). Let it never be said that Scripture doesn’t get specific regarding human sin. Peter says that the pagan world is “surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you” (1 Pt 4:4). See, by not participating, you make your theology visible. By not going along, you bear witness to your conversion.

Encouragement: Gospel distinction is the kind demonstration and public display of the sovereign work of God in our lives. It’s living out externally what God has wrought internally. That’s what Papa did. He lived it out. I remember when I preached his funeral, one of the things I said was that Papa lived the best sermon I ever saw preached. I can only hope to be such a man.