Lesson 7 - 1 Peter 4:1-11 - SUFFERING AND VINDICATION
INTRODUCTION: Last week, in 1 Peter 3:13-22, the apostle continued the theme of how Christians should respond when we are faced with persecution. He reminded us that even in worst case scenarios-violence or death (the situation here isn't that bad-yet), we are blessed and eternally protected by God. Instead of caving-in to opposition, we should take advantage of the opportunities to do good by breaking the natural human cycle of returning evil for evil. When facing opposition, Peter tells us to be prepared to defend the gospel and turn the conflict into an opportunity to share our witness for Christ. In any case, if we are suffering for doing good, Peter reminds us that it's far better than to suffer for doing wrong, yes? And we're a lot better off than people who oppose us, Amen? Peter clarified that there's no such thing as a second chance for salvation, and he also affirmed that baptism cannot save you but represents the outward expression of a new life in Jesus Christ. As a final note, because Christ was vindicated, we can be sure that we will be vindicated, too.
This week, in 1 Peter 4:1-11, Peter will push us hard to take-on Jesus' attitude toward suffering-to be willing to suffer to extent of dying, which, in our context, actually means death to sin. Moreover, he tells us that we should expect to suffer as part of fulfilling God's purpose for us in this earthly existence. We'll learn that Christians who are committed to go through suffering for the sake of Christ are, in all reality, setting the course of their lives away from the damaging effects of sin. Peter will also talk to us about the vital importance of a committed prayer life, which is like a soldier on the battlefield who stays in communication with his headquarters. Finally, Peter will cover three key imperatives of the Christian life: (1) to love one another; (2) to offer hospitality to fellow believers; and (3) to discover and use our spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ-the church.
Read 1 Peter 4:1-2 - ARM YOURSELVES TO CEASE FROM SIN
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, 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.
v. 1a: "Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh," - First, what was Christ's attitude toward suffering? He understood and accepted that to suffer, ultimately to the extent of death, was built in to His purpose on earth, and He accepted it. Jesus told His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me" (Mt. 16:24). So, if we 'take up His cross,' it means we are totally committed to Him, with no looking back, leaving our past life behind.
v. 1b: "arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin," - 'Arming ourselves' invariably means making many sacrifices-giving up sinful activities, habits, and attitudes that were embedded in our past lives. We can be defeated in our personal battles against sin if we refuse to sacrifice anything in the battle. Paul referred to this sacrifice as "putting off the old self with its practices" and "putting on a new self" (Col. 3:9-10). This is precisely what Jesus means by 'denying self' and 'taking up your cross to follow Him.'
v. 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." -The term "in the flesh," as applied here, refers simply to our life on this earth, not fleshly sins. The main idea here is that when a person has suffered through all the various trials of life, including mistreatment for his or her Christian faith, and comes out of it tested, with even stronger faith, it's a clear indication that he or she has achieved the level of Christian character that empowers them to strongly resist further temptation to sin. It doesn't imply becoming sinlessly perfect-which is not possible-but that the old life dominated by sin has been left behind. This is the "will of God."
APPLICATION 1: Taking up Jesus' cross (Mt. 16:24) means we should be prepared to suffer. To do this, we must "arm" ourselves by sacrificing the sinful activities, habits, and attitudes that were embedded in our past lives. The simple fact is that we can be defeated in our personal battles against sin if we refuse to give up anything for the battle. If we persevere and arm ourselves, we will attain the strength of Christian character that allows to resist the temptation to sin.
Read 1 Peter 4:3-6 - THEY ARE SURPRISED THAT YOU DO NOT RUN WITH THEM
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. 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. 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.
v. 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." - This verse tells us that Peter is addressing a predominantly Gentile audience, people who had spent most of their lives engaging in all manner of sinful excesses that included getting drunk, lewd behavior, sexual immorality, sinful entertainment, and so on. The term "abominable idolatries" can refer to anything a person worships in place of God, which can include an unhealthy focus on things like material possessions, love of money, power, and prestige. Peter's list shows us how little fallen man has progressed in the last 2,000 years. These problems remain.
v. 4: "In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;" - Some of the persecution that Peter's readers were undoubtedly experiencing was their unwillingness to participate in their old lifestyles with their unsaved friends or even family members. Any of us who were saved as adults can attest to this. It's a simple fact that unsaved people can't comprehend the radical change than any individual undergoes when he or she accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and becomes a child of God. The unsaved don't think it's unusual when someone destroys their health or wrecks their marriage, but let a party animal become a clean-living Christian, and his friends and family thinks he's lost his mind!
APPLICATION 2: When you accept Christ as Lord, many of your unsaved friends and family members will think you've lost your mind. They don't understand the radical change of character that Christians undergo. When they see other unsaved people destroy their health or wreck their marriage, they're not surprised, but let a former party animal profess Christ and repent of his sin, they think he's gone off the deep end.
v. 5: "but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead." - The loose-living crowd who treat life like a never ending party don't believe this. Yet, God is paying attention to them. And one day-when all people living and dead stand before God for judgment, He (probably in the person of Jesus) will ask them to "give account," which literally demands a verbal explanation. God will not only judge them for their sin but will specifically judge them for any mistreatment of Christians. Their mocking, their cursing, and abuse will all be taken into account by God. (Note: This 'account' probably includes backslidden Christians who lapsed into sin and forfeited their rewards. The central issue at the final Judgment for any person is whether he or she accepted the finished work of Christ for their sin. If they did not, God will not grant them admittance into His heaven.
v. 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." - This is another difficult verse that some have incorrectly understood to mean that after a person dies, he or she will have a second chance to believe the gospel. However, a fair reading of the phrase "has... been preached" indicates a past-action; namely, that the gospel was preached to people who were alive but now, at the time of Peter's writing, are dead. Moreover, this view is indefensible because it contradicts the clear teaching of Scripture throughout the NT (see, Luke 16:26; Heb. 9:27); and it was also wholly inconsistent with Peter's main theme of encouraging his readers to endure persecution. Peter's main point in this verse is that Christians "preach" the gospel, so that the saved people who stand before God at the judgment-even those who have already died-can "give account" (v. 5) with joy rather than sorrow.
APPLICATION 3: Christian "preach the gospel" so that the people saved by it can stand before God at the judgment with joy rather than sorrow. We need to understand from v. 6 that for the unsaved, unless they repent and confess Christ as Savior, there's no such thing as a second chance. It's up to us to warn them...to "preach the gospel" to them.
Read 1 Peter 4:7-11 - THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER, LOVE, HOSPITALITY, AND GIFTS
7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 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.
v. 7a: "The end of all things is near;" - Peter's readers believed that the return of Christ was imminent, and it undoubtedly influenced the way they lived. But even now, almost 2000 years later, we are still in the last days and should maintain the attitude that Jesus can return at any moment. As one commentator artfully put it, "All human history now moves under the shadow of eternity."
v. 7b: "therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer." - This statement underlines the importance of prayer. The charge "sound judgment" means being clear-headed and rational and "sober spirit" suggests a serious and conscientious effort. We should remember and appreciate that prayer-access to God's throne-is the most gracious and necessary privilege that God grants to us as His children. One commentator said, "As committed prayer warriors, we are like soldiers who grasp the importance of staying in contact with headquarters."
APPLICATION 4: Our prayer life should be intentional. Prayer is the most necessary privilege that God gives us. We need to think about it, plan it, and discipline ourselves to make a conscious effort to set aside time and do it. Like a soldier on a battlefield, we need to grasp the importance of staying in contact with headquarters.
v. 8a: "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another," - The word "fervent" (Gk. ektenés (ek-ten-ace')], literally means to stretch out, like a running a race and the word used for "love" (Gk. agapé) means unselfish love based on a choice. Our love for our Christian brothers and sisters isn't dependent on sentimental feelings but means loving the unlovely and the unlovable, loving in spite of insult and hurt, and even loving when none is returned. This is the unique characteristic of Christians.
v. 8b: "because love covers a multitude of sins." - An often-quoted phrase but what does it really mean? It can mean that our love can overlook many sins. If we love a person, it's easy to forgive. If we love our fellow Christian, we can accept their faults, deal with their neglect, and endure their thoughtlessness. It also can mean that other Christians will forgive us our own shortcomings. And finally, it can mean that God's love covers the multitude of our sins because of His mercy and grace.
APPLICATION 5: Christian love can overlook many sins. Our love for our Christian brothers and sisters isn't dependent on sentimental feelings but means loving the unlovely and the unlovable, loving in spite of insult and hurt, and even loving when none is returned.
v. 9: "Be hospitable to one another without complaint" - Without hospitality the early church could not have existed. Not only did the missionaries need it, but for 200 years there was no such thing as a church building, and the church was compelled to meet in the houses of those who had rooms large enough to accommodate groups of people. And even in this day, no greater gift can be offered than the welcome of a Christian home to a stranger in a strange place.
v. 10: "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." - God has given every Christian (no exceptions!) one or more gifts (specifically spiritual gifts [see, 1 Cor. 12:1-12; Rom. 12:6-7]) that he or she should use to benefit others and in so doing, serve the mission of the church. The term "manifold" denotes many parts. This clearly means that no Christian can honestly claim that he or she has nothing to contribute towards the work of church. Jesus, as the Lord of the church, has distributed these gifts in such a
variety that His people will be able to successfully deal with any trials to which they are subjected.
v. 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." - Here, Peter offers examples of serving that represent using two basic types of gifts:
APPLICATION 6: God gives every Christian believer one or more spiritual gifts so they can serve Him. Whether it's singing in the choir, sitting on committees, greeting newcomers, or mopping the floors, serving members need to humbly see these works as blessings given to them by God rather than favors they are doing for the church. The chief purpose of these gifts isn't to elevate the status of the giver but to allow them to reflect the image of God so that He, not us, will be glorified.
