“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.” (v1,2) “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.” (v3-6)
We are encouraged to have the same mind as Christ who suffered for us. We need to have a full commitment to God even though we may pass through great suffering. Jesus told us to take up our cross and follow Him (Matthew 16). We are to arm ourselves with the same mind as He had in our battle against sin. Many of us live defeated lives because we don’t sacrifice anything in the battle against sin.
No-one is sinless, apart from the Lord Jesus Himself which confuses me somewhat when Peter says that he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. When one suffers persecution for His sake, it almost always changes our outlook regarding sin and living for the lusts of the flesh, thus one would live for the will of God. One commentator says that it does not mean that he no longer commits any act of sin, but that his old life, dominated by the power of sin, has been terminated. We cannot totally stop sinning or escape from its power apart from our union with the Lord Jesus Christ each day. We should no longer live in sin and answer every temptation accordingly. We have to answer to Him as to how we live the rest of our lives.
Peter acknowledges that we have spent enough time in the past doing what Gentiles do, living like the world. Now
we are called to live differently, as Christian (Christ’s ones). How many of us do not think we have spent enough time living like the world? He lists some of the things that incorporate living like the world- lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. I don’t think you need me to elaborate on those. It is clear that times have not changed since Peter’s day. We still get up to the same old things. Lewdness may sound old fashioned, but it still exists in sexual immorality and violence.
People are watching you, make no mistake about it, and you can be an influence for good or bad. As Christians we must be an influence for good, because if not, we are dishonouring the Lord who bought us at such a tremendous cost. When the world sees that we are not walking in the ways of the world, but rather displaying godly living, they may think it strange, so what, let them. There are so many examples in the Bible, we have already mentioned some like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and further back men like Joseph, these and many others were prepared to suffer persecution and faced even death in their stand for God. I love the Old Testament characters, none of them were perfect, if they had been, what good would that have been to you and me. They were ordinary men with a strong faith in an all-powerful God. Their enemies even spoke evil of them.
Make no mistake we will all have to give an account to God. One writer says, ‘when this account is required, all who live in the sins Peter described will clearly see how foolish they 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.’
I’m not sure what Peter meant her when he said that that was why the gospel was preached to those who were dead. Did he mean already physically dead, if so, why preach to someone who is dead. Or did he mean spiritually dead, which we all were in our sin.
We are commanded to preach the gospel to every creature, and it is by the ‘foolishness’ of preaching that many will be saved. All need to hear the gospel, but if we fail to do so, this will fall to us giving an account to God. There is no point preaching to a corpse, it is too late. Now is the accepted time to receive it, while we are alive. It is suggested by some that when Jesus preached judgment to those ‘spirits in prison’, He also confirmed the message of salvation to those in Abraham’s Bosom, who anticipated the work of the Messiah for them. It was not the offer of a second chance for the dead, but the completion of the salvation of those who had been faithful to God under their first chance.
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (v7)
We continue here in the attitude of believers in the end times. Do we really believe that we are in the last days? This term was used in the New Testament quite frequently. Jesus often referred to the last days. No-one knows the day or the hour the Lord’s second coming. However, we should live everyday in the expectation that He may come today.
The point he is making is that when ever that event is we should be serious and watchful in our prayers in the meantime. We must not treat prayer lightly. Jesus said that we should watch and pray. I often call this praying with our eyes open in the sense that we watch for the return of Jesus, but also watching ourselves and watching the world, making ourselves ready for His return.
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (v8-11)
Being watchful is important but here we are urged that above all things we are to have fervent love for one another.
Someone has said that if we are in the last days, it is important that we love one another, those we are going to spend eternity with. The old rhyme goes – ‘to dwell above with those we love, O that will be glory; to dwell below with those we know, well that’s a different story.’ Note that it is fervent love. This means showing very strong, sincere, and intense feelings or enthusiasm. Love will cover a multitude of sins – indicates to forgive it. This is part of our interpersonal relationships. This should be a reflection of God’s love for us, Jesus being the perfect example. It is not overlooking sin or pretending it isn’t there but forgiving it and forgetting it. To forgive it, it must be recognised. Jesus said that everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another (John 13:35)
How does love cover a multitude of sins? According to 1 Corinthians 13:5 it keeps no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil but loves the truth (v6) It does not spread gossip of another’s wrongs. We should exercise discretion and restraint about spreading gossip about a brother or sister. Love covers sins we are willing to forgive. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Instructions are given in Matthew 18:15-17 as to how we should deal with and confront those who sin. Love does not cover sins by sweeping them under the carpet. Love protects by helping both the victim and the offender, and it also strives to prevent further offences. Sadly, some churches have covered up acts of abuse, particularly upon children, but this is not love and it must be dealt with and reported. We cover sin by acknowledging it and then extending the forgiveness God has given us to others. We do not cover sin by denying that it hurts us.
In any fellowship of Christians, where there is true love, many small niggles, and even some large ones can be overlooked, but where there is little love, conflicts abound.
We are instructed to be hospitable without grumbling. Our homes should be open to others. It is interesting that it says without grumbling. Hospitality can be costly and irritating at times, and often it can seem that our home is not our own, but the word here indicates that we should do it with cheerfulness.
Peter then moves on to a person’s gifts – we are to minister to one another in love as good stewards of God. These gifts are given to us by God in His grace towards us. If anyone ministers it is to be done with the ability which God supplies. Paul writes about gifts as part of a body, each part has its unique part to play, none is less important even though it may seem to be small. Remember, we are serving one another and as we serve, we do it with the strength and ability which God supplies. Because of that, glory and dominion forever and ever belong to Him.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (v12,13)
A commentator of a few years ago said that Peter once tried to dissuade Jesus from going to the cross and going through the suffering, now he thinks it strange that he could imagine anything else. He says that we should rejoice because we are partaking of Christ’s sufferings.
Peter refers to the fiery trials which will come and not to think of them as strange but instead to see them as ways to partake of Christ’s sufferings, because we will also partake of His glory and joy. Fire is used for purifying.
We would like to have glory and joy but avoid the suffering. We must remember that glory and joy come through suffering, just as Jesus showed. Suffering builds godliness.
“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” (v14-16)
Suffering is one thing but the reason why we suffer is another and we need to consider this. If we are reproached for the name of Christ, it is a blessing and shows that we are walking with Him. It should not surprise us if the world blasphemes Jesus, but we as Christians must glorify Him in every part of our lives. The world hates Jesus and He said they will hate you too.
It is one thing to suffer for doing good but quite another for doing wrong, and a Christian should never fall into the latter category. If we suffer as an evil doer, we deserve it, and it brings shame on our Lord. Murderer, thief and evildoer are to be expected, but a busybody may come as a surprise, and yet, being a busybody in other people’s affairs can cause grief and pain, and that certainly does not bring honour to the name of Jesus. Christians have nothing to be ashamed of if they suffer as a Christian. The world might think we are mad, but in such suffering, we bring glory to God. If anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed but is to glorify God in this name.
We should remind ourselves that believers were known as people of the Way before they were called Christians in Acts 11:26. It was probably a nickname for Christ’s ones, but it became a known name by Acts 26:28 where we have King Agrippa saying that he was almost persuaded to be a Christian. By the time Peter was writing one could be persecuted for being a Christian.
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” (v17-19)
One might wonder why judgment comes into this? Not only judgment but judgment at the house of God. One has said that this judgement is in a purifying sense in the context of suffering. The fire Christians endure is to purify, but the fire the ungodly endure will be punishment. The punishment for our sin was paid for in full by Jesus on the cross.
If it begins with believers, what will it be for those who are disobedient to the gospel? If we as God’s children experience suffering, yet knowing that it is refining and that our salvation is secure, the end for those who do not believe doesn’t bear thinking about. They have to bear their own punishment, whereas believer’s do not because Christ bore it. Those who reject Jesus Christ will face eternal punishment, and words cannot fully describe that. Peter even says that the righteous are scarcely saved (quote from Proverbs 11:31. By the skin of our teeth, we might say. It is nothing in us but totally through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our salvation did not come cheap, and the claims of discipleship should not come easy. Sometimes the way is hard. Someone has said that if you think the Christian life is a bed of roses, try sitting down in it – I’m sure you will know what I mean!
Peter again makes a distinction between those who suffer according to the will of God and those who don’t. If we do suffer for Christ, we should commit our souls to Him for He is faithful, and we can fully trust Him.
