I know why you’re angry with me. You’re surprised that I won’t join your party. You invited me to celebrate your individuality, to applaud your uniqueness, to revel in the virtue of just being human. And I brazenly turned you down. I rejected your offer of fellowship.

I don’t blame you for feeling insulted. It seems I believe I’m holier than thou. In your mind, the only reason I choose to be excluded is hatefulness. Bigotry is the only possible explanation for my refusal to affirm your behavior. Indignation is your only response to disagreement.

I’m going to explain myself in case God has not abandoned you completely and you still have the capacity to receive righteousness and truth.

By the grace of God, I am no longer held captive by the passions of my flesh. I’m free from the shackles of sensuality. I can say, “No,” to evil. Again, this is a gift from God. It’s not my virtues or intellect that empowers me to reject your invitation to depravity. Because of Christ, I don’t need to belong to your group since I’m already included in God’s.

It’s not personal. I really don’t hate you. I just don’t need you. Your acceptance and approval don’t matter. I’m not interested in your opinions or point of view. I am immune to your insults. I know you’ll dismiss me as arrogant, unloving, close-minded, or conceited and I’m completely at peace with that.

When was the last time you were at peace? If you can’t remember, take a few minutes and ask God to rescue you.

(1 Peter 4:3) For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;