1 Peter 4
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
At the end of the last chapter, we saw that baptism was an appeal to God for a good conscience – that is, when we get baptized in water we are telling God that we are willing to suffer in the flesh to overcome sin. So now, Peter tells us that just as Christ suffered in the flesh to overcome sin, we too, just as we promised God at our baptism, should be prepared to do the same.
To suffer in the flesh is to endure that uncomfortable feeling that arises when we refuse to disobey God even though our mind (or flesh) urges us to do so. For example, our mind may tell us to put someone down, or to take revenge, or to try to seduce someone who is not our spouse – when faced with these and other temptations, we must deny ourselves, and endure the uncomfortable feeling that accompanies such denial.
2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
Our focus should be on finding out what God wants us to do, and then doing that. Our focus should not be anything else – while we may focus on work (i.e. what we do for a living) when we work, and keenly desire to excel at it, it is not the main thing for us anymore. Our greatest joy should come from exceling at what God wants us to do in His kingdom.
3 For the time already past is sufficient {for} {you} to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
Our perspective should be that we have sinned enough in the past, and that we want to sin no more.
4 In {all} this, they are surprised that you do not run with {them} into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign {you;}
5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
Unbelievers who see this change in us will not understand the change in our thoughts and attitudes and behavior, and will mock us, and may even persecute us, but we must be willing to endure these things, knowing and remembering that there is going to be a Day of Judgment, and each of us (and them) will have to answer God for what we have done.
6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to {the} {will of} God.
Some people ask what will happen to those who died before Jesus completed His atonement. In the above verse, we see that Jesus preached the gospel to those who died before Him, and it seems that He gave them a chance to believe the gospel and be saved even after they had died.
In the same way, since God is just, He will also give everyone (who died after Jesus and) never heard the gospel before they died, the chance to hear it and be saved. People living in the Amazon jungles, or in countries where the gospel is disallowed, belong to this category.
7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober {spirit} for the purpose of prayer.
Our attitude should be that the end of all things is near. By that I mean that we should live with a sense of urgency, knowing that we only have a few years left on this earth to please God. Therefore, we should use our time and money with that attitude, and keep a constant and close connection with God through prayer to ensure that we are doing what He wants and not merely what we want.
8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
What is really important is that we love those who are near us, overlooking the wrongs they do to us, and seeking to do what’s best for them at all times. While it is best that we keep some people at arm’s length, because of their destructive influence on us, whatever contact we do have and make, it should always be in the spirit of love.
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
Sometimes, people – even strangers – depend on us to do things for them and help them. In as much as we can, we must be willing to help them, and not complain about why they should come to us. God sent them to us, and if God wants us to do good to them, then we should. Lot helped strangers who turned out to be angels who saved him and his family from Sodom (Heb 13:2).
10 As each one has received a {special} gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
The grace of God is manifold – that is, it has many different aspects to it. As you humble yourself in different ways, you receive grace (help from God) in different ways. If you humble yourself in the sexual area then you get help from God to overcome sexual sin; if you humble yourself in the area of anger, then you get help from God to overcome anger, and so on.
God’s grace is also manifest in the spiritual gifts He gives us to build His church. Peter encourages us to use those gifts to serve others.
11 Whoever speaks, {is to do so} as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves {is to do} {so} as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
We use our gifts to bring glory to God – that is, to make God look good so that people will see our goodness and bless God. Glory and dominion belong only to God and when people try to give us glory we must give it to God.
The way we speak and work must be under the guidance of God and by the power of God. Peter is giving us the fundamentals of living the Christian life.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
16 but if {anyone suffers} as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
We should not be surprised when trials and difficulties and tough times come because of our Christian faith. It is an opportunity to share in the sufferings of Christ and find favor with God – if we suffer for what we don’t deserve.
17 For {it is} time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if {it} {begins} with us first, what {will be} the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?
19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Let God deal with those who make you suffer. He will do what is right – you can be sure of that.
The righteous are saved with difficulty. God doesn’t compromise His standards for anyone. You may be a person who wants to do what is right, but if there comes a time when you abandon what is right, God will abandon you. A righteous person must maintain a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees to be saved (Mt 5:20).
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