1 Peter 4 (King James Version)

(1-2) In the last days, Christians should have an attitude of commitment.

4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Peter was talking to a set of believers that were persecuted, and most of them had temporary residence, but he lifted them up, because they focused on their heavenly rewards. The idea here is that Christ suffered for us; so we should suffer for others. After all, we house the Holy Ghost, which will love people through us, especially when the love is not in us as humans.

We house, the Holy Ghost; therefore, we should have no problem having the mind of Christ.

² That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

As a persecuted people, it is natural that since we suffer, we separate ourselves from the people who slander us. We need to remember, as children of God, God will condemn the slanderers and vindicate believers in heavens court.

Peter is also saying that since we are saved in house, the Holy Ghost we no longer should live as the world does, but we should be doing the will of God.

Next, we have some harsh truth, from brother, Peter…

³ (NKJV) For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

Peter realized we have all spent enough time living like the world. Now we are called to live like Christians. It is a profound and foolish waste of time for Christians to live like the world, and we must simply stop being double-minded and start living as Christians.

The meaning of double minded be found in James!

James 1:8-19 ESV “he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

⁴ Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Speaking evil of you: When we don’t participate in the sin around us, we convict those who practice their sin, and they don’t like that – so they speak evil of us. We need to stand up for biblical principles and not stand with the world. Remember, we are in the world but not of the world.

⁵ Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

When this account is required, (all who live in the sins) Peter says they we see how foolish they have been and right you have been. Even if one seems to live the “good life” living by the world’s rules, his life will be a waste in the measure of eternity.

⁶ For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

This scripture is hard for me to wrap my head around, but if you dig in your Bible, there is a conclusion to the matter.

Peter has already told us that Jesus preached to the spirits in prison, preaching a message of judgment (1 Peter 3:19). Apparently during this same time Jesus also preached a message of salvation to the faithful dead in Abraham’s Bosom (Luke 16:22) who anticipated the work of the Messiah for them. This preaching to those who are deadwas not the offer of a second chance, but the completion of the salvation of those who had been faithful to God under their first chance.

In doing this, Jesus fulfilled the promised that He would lead captivity captive (Psalm 68:18 and Ephesians 4:8) and He would “proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18).

Peter urges us to live according to God in the spirit. When we live in the spirit we are living according to the will of God.

⁷ But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

The end of all things is at hand: If we really believe that we live in the last days, it is all the more appropriate that we give ourselves to prayer (therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers).

The scripture also says that we are to be so sober minded in these last days. If we’re not in our right mind and we cannot not accomplish the will of God.

I think Peter here is commanding believers to maintain their unity; while, doing everything to God’s glory.

⁸ And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Above all things have fervent love for one another: If these are the last days, then it is important for us to love those we are going to spend eternity with. In light of eternity, we must have fervent love for one another.

Love repeating forgives sin

Proverbs 10: 11-12

¹¹ The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

⁹ Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

As we serve one another, we do it with the strength God provides, the ability which God supplies – so that to Him belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.

¹⁰ As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

If we are saved, we should say so. We should confess God always. God gave us gifts not to entertain others with, but to help others and to spread the gospel with love. We should not Hide gifts.

¹¹ If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies: Every part is important; each has its job to do. Even the smallest, seemingly least important part of the body of Christ is important.

A man was rebuilding the engine to his lawn mower, and when he finished, he had one small part left over, and he couldn’t remember where it went. He started the engine and it ran great, so he figured that the part was useless – until he tried to stop the lawn mower, and it wouldn’t stop! Even the smallest, seemingly least important part of the body of Christ is important.

Look forward to heaven!

¹² Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

Concerning the fiery trial which is to try you: Instead of thinking of trials (even fiery trials) as strange occurrences, we see them as ways to partake of Christ’s sufferings. And if we partake of His sufferings, we will also partake of His glory and joy.

¹³ But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

It is good to share anythingwith Jesus, even His suffering.

We should never deny the place of suffering in building godliness in the Christian life. Though there is much needless pain we bear through lack of knowledge or faith, there is also necessary suffering. If suffering was a suitable tool to teach Jesus (Hebrews 5:8), it is a suitable tool to teach His servants.

To the extent implies a measure. Those who have suffered more in Jesus will rejoice more at His coming in glory.

¹⁴ If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

a. If you are reproached for the name of Christ: Suffering for the name of Christ isa blessing, because it shows that we really are following Jesus, and that we suffer because we are identified with Him. Yet, at the time it might not feel like a blessing.

b. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified: We expect the world to blaspheme Jesus. But He should always be glorified among Christians.

c. Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody: Suffering as an evildoer is deserved and brings shame to the name of Jesus. Peter recognized that not all suffering that Christians experience is suffering in the name of Jesus.

¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

Such people do suffer a lot of grief and pain, but not for the sake of Jesus.

¹⁶ Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: Suffering as a Christian is nothing to be ashamed about, even though the world may despise the suffering Christian. Instead, we should glorify God in these matters.

(17-19) Committing your soul to God in the midst of suffering.

¹⁷ For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

¹⁸ And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

¹⁹ Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Christians can rejoice that the sufferings they face in this life are the worst they will ever face throughout all eternity. We have seen the worst; however, those who reject Jesus Christ have seen the best of this life will spent their eternal existence in Hell.

It isn’t that our salvation is difficult in the sense of earning it or finding a way to deserve it; it is all the free gift of Jesus Christ. Yet our salvation ishard in the sense that the claims of discipleship challenge us and demand that we cast away our idols and our sins. Real discipleship and genuine following after Jesus Christ is sometimes a hard thing, so we understand why Peter quoted the passage from Proverbs 11:31, “the righteous one is scarcely saved.”

Commit their souls to Him: The ancient Greek word translated “commit” is a technical one, used for leaving money on deposit with a trusted friend. Such a trust was regarded as one of the most sacred things in life, and the friend was bound by honor to return the money intact. It is the very word Jesus used when He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46).