1 Peter - Chapter 4

Good will, even good deeds, is not always enough to gain a neighbor’s respect. Practicing their Christian faith led Peter’s readers into conflict with their neighbors and with the larger society. Although they once followed the customs expected of any citizen in their local community, suddenly they would no longer follow those in the community. As a result of becoming Christian and now following Christ and His teachings, and observing properly the command to be holy, set apart, they were accused of being aloof and worse.

Among the things they would no longer do is participate in the festivals that were a part of the culture of the people of the Roman Empire. A normal part of those festivals included proclaiming faith in the idols and false gods, as well as to the Roman emperor as a god himself. Such activity was considered as idolatry by the Christian community and their refusal cast shadows upon them from the non-Christian members of the local towns.

Such non-participation invited the charge against the Christians that they were not participating because they simply hated everyone. The charge against them was “hatred of the human race”. They were also charged with treason (not respecting the Roman authorities) and of rebellion (not respecting the gods that protected their local area). Such aloofness and supposed treasonous behavior meant that at any time the Christians could become victims to persecutions, physical abuse, and even death. Being a Christian in that time and place was not easy. Think carefully about the devotion and courage of these early brothers and sisters in Christ who gave so much for their faithful obedience. Think about how much we take for granted today.

Yet Christ, their Lord and therefore their example, had also suffered and had triumphed over evil powers that opposed him as we saw in 1st Peter 3:22. That means that those that follow Him will triumph over those same forces that had opposed Christ and now opposed them. It is in that confidence that they can face the suffering visited upon them, confident that they too will triumph at the hands of the God who also raised Jesus Christ to His heavenly throne after mortal death.

1 – 2:

• Christ is our model. He became flesh and dwelt among us to set the example of life and obedience. Christians must follow His lead and do the same, even if they have to suffer for doing so. This means change in the way they think, feel, and live. Romans 6:6 teaches us that when people accept Christ He frees them from the power of sin. It is our responsibility to use this power to live without yielding to the temptations of sin that will be placed in our path as we walk with Him.

3:

• Remember that Peter’s letter was addressed to both Jews and Gentiles who have become Christians. The Gentiles did not know about the only true God or about the OT laws set out by God through Moses. Instead they worshipped many false gods and as a result lived evil lives. It is VERY important that we consider this lesson still today. Idols in our lives are not always carved figures of stone or wood but in our world can be status, money, sex, drugs, possessions, or anything that comes before God in our lives. Let’s never forget that as His followers we are to seek first His kingdom.

4:

• When people become Christians, their lives change. This change comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within us. As our lives change we seek to give up behavior that is evil. In John 3:19-21 Jesus tells us that people who do what is evil hate the light. The light of the Lord is within the followers of Christ. Others may hate and insult followers because of this change. If so, we are to rejoice in this treatment as we are suffering for Him and in obedience of love for Him.

5:

• Peter’s readers knew Christ would return. They actually expected this to happen before they died. (Does this sound familiar?). Please let us not lose sight of the majesty of the Lord’s lessons of His Gospel that it does NOT matter to us whether He returns before our own mortal death. Whether our bodies are dead or alive at His return moment, we shall be like Him and with Him evermore.

6:

• All people go through mortal death because of the sin of our first parents. (Romans 5:12). When Jesus took the cross, He took all sin upon himself. Our sins are taken from us by this act of purchase on His part. We must never forget that we are justified before Holy God ONLY because of this work. No other work ever known allows us to stand before God with sin removed.

7:

• Peter writes, “… the end of all things is at hand…”. He wrote these words almost 2000 years ago. While we still do not know when the end will come, we must be ready always. This means we should constantly think about how we live and always seek to live in His will, following humbly the plan He has set for our lives.

8:

• This kind of deep love is God’s love. It is more than good feelings or momentary warm efforts of kindness. Christians should continue to love one another deeply, even when it is difficult to do so. Proverbs 10:12 teaches that love hides many sins. Christians should not excuse people when sin is evident nor think that sin does not matter. It is in the forgiveness of confessed sin that the deeper love of God is found. We should pray for those who struggle and we should remember that struggle appears in every Christian life.

9:

• One way Christians can show their love is to invite people into their homes. This may be hard work, but we are to do it freely and without complaint. There are no strangers within the family of the Lord. We should remember that Christ has invited each believer into His own home and has prepared it for our arrival.

10 – 11:

• God has provided gifts for each of us. Some people have more than one gift. It is the tapestry woven of all these blessed gifts that brings the beauty to His kingdom. We cannot display selfishness as we are told to help each other. Church leaders cannot be expected to do all the work. Paul was very clear on this point in Romans 12:3-8. Although it is a simple thought, let us remember that the heart of the body cannot be the hand, nor can the ear be the eye. All are necessary for the body to work properly as designed.

• Peter mentions two types of gifts. There are gifts where people speak and there are gifts where people serve in a practical way. Some are able to preach and teach. Some can prophesy. But all words must be about the truth that comes from God. Others who do not speak can still move the kingdom forward and they are given strength to do so. All these gifts should be used humbly, not in pride. As all use the gifts given, the sum total of those gifts then become praise for the Lord.

12:

Believers are beloved to Peter. He loves and cares about those to whom he is writing. He teaches that Christians should not be surprised when painful trials appear. The Greek word here might be translated “burning” and he describes the trials as fiery. Painful troubles are like the fire that tests the gold of faith, purifying it. (1:7). Difficulties are our opportunity to show faith in God, as we know he will never leave or forsake us.

13:

Suffering Christians can have joy, as we know that Jesus suffered for each of us. All suffering will be minor when we later compare it to the glory that awaits the faithful.

14:

God blesses Christians when others curse them. Peter calls the Holy Spirit the “… spirit of glory and of God…”. It is that spirit that remains forever within us.

15:

Christians know that it is wrong to murder or to steal. These are among the 10 commands that God gave to Moses, written in stone by His own finger. It is also wrong to make trouble in the lives of others. Being too interested in the lives of others can be see as being a “busybody” and such behavior does not become a believer.

16:

Not all believers will suffer seriously. Some may suffer more than others. We are not given the wisdom to understand why this may occur.

Remember God’s good man, Job. Suffering should not bring shame, but rather should be used to glorify God.

17 – 18:

God will judge people by His standards, not by ours. Rewards or punishments will be granted by Him, not us. All that happens to us is either by His direct or His permissive will. These issues of life that try us are tests that we should convert to testimonies. They should purify us.

Those who do not accept Christ and therefore show Him no obedience will not be forgiven on that last day. Matthew 18:9 is brutally candid as to their destination.

19:

While Christians do not yet know the WHY of all things it is commanded that we trust in Him as the captain of our salvation. As He created all things, and sustains all things by the power of His Word, we can rest assured that He will never fail us once we are His. None can pluck us from His mighty hand. Eternal life and love awaits us. There is therefore no condemnation of those who rest in Christ Jesus.

PRAISE GOD WITH OUR LIVES. USE WORDS ONLY IF NECESSARY.