Expositon of 1 Peter 4:1-6
Verse 1-2
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
Therefore: Look again what have been told previously
Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind : Jesus is an example of a true suffering (for doing good) and He was determined that He wouldn't step back from the decision that He made, and thus the bible tells us to arm ourselves with the same mind. Part of Christians' calling is to suffer. (We – servants can't be more than our Master). If our Lord suffered, we should suffer also. MATTHEW 16:24 says that we are to take up our cross, which means once we make a decision for Christ there's no looking back! (Sadrach, Mesach, Abednego) No matter what comes our way, we say I will keep moving forward. There are battles in our lives that force us to stop moving forward but just as Jesus was determined we also must be determined to fight and walk in His victory – our war is now against the wickedness that wrap themselves in pleasures and desires.
He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin : When we suffered in the flesh we have no interest to sin anymore.
Verse 3-6
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. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
We have spent enough time with sin : One trick of the devil to get us trapped in the pleasure of sin is by saying in our mind "This will be the last time I do it, after this I quit", because the devil knows "that one last time" that you mean is just another rope you give him to bind you even tighter. But the bible says you have spent enough time. This tells us and reminds us that sin has power to bind us when we keep giving it a rope. One sin is enough to bring us to hell. Stop giving the devil the rope to bind you!
Lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, abominable idolatries (It all deals with pleasure)
They think its strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation : Everyone likes pleasure, but when those pleasures bring us to wickedness and away from God, STOP IT!!! There's many people who can't stand the battle against pleasure of sin, they finally decide to quit the battle. (Personal testimony) But when they see the life of the believers who can enjoy live even without participating in sin, they will be amazed and will have this question in their head "how can this man says no to pleasure?" That is when our lives start becoming a living bible.
Speaking evil of us : When they look at our lives they most likely to say "stupid Christians" because for some of them, we are nothing but religious freaks. But did you know that when they say that , deep in their hearts they want to be free. (Liz and Even's story), that is why we need to shine the light of God in wherever we go and stop becoming secret agents. (Just a matter of time and one day they'll receive the truth)
The gospel is preached to the dead : Those who had been faithful to God in their lives.
i. 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.
ii. This preaching to those who are dead was 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.
iii. In doing this, Jesus fulfilled the promised that He would lead captivity captive (Psalm 66:18; Ephesians 4:8) and would proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound (Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18).
God bless you all
-Jack-
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