November
23rd
1 Peter 4
Be alive only to God
1:
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; 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. 3: For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought
the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts,
excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the
same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5: Who shall give account
to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 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. 7: But the end of all things is at hand: be ye
therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8: And above all things have
fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the
multitude of sins. 9: Use hospitality one to another without
grudging. 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.
Peter
says that as Christ has suffered in the flesh so you are to cease
from sin. So that you might now live the rest of your life fulfilling
the lusts of men, but doing the will of God. He says your lives were
lives of excess, lust, drunkenness, greed and idolatries. The men of
this world cannot understand why you do not continue to live like
this and they speak evil of you. However they will give account of
this to Christ who will judge the living and the dead. This is why
the Gospel was preached also unto the dead, so that they might be
judged by the unbelieving but live according to God in the Spirit.
Peter says the end of everything is coming therefore we should be
sober, and watchful unto prayer. Peter reiterates the call to
righteousness of living for those under that law, which is seen in
love to one another. Love covers a multitude of sins. He reminds the
Jews to practise hospitality to each other willingly and that they
should all hold their possessions in trust and to be used for the
mutual benefit of all.
- How can these Jews cease from sin? And how can they live for God?
- Why was the gospel preached to the dead?
- How does Peter encourage the believers to live?
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