Living for God’s Will and Glory

Introduction

Beloved, today we turn to an important and challenging passage of Scripture, 1 Peter 4:1-11. In this text, Peter teaches us how Christians should live in light of Christ’s suffering, and he contrasts a life ruled by human passions with a life lived for the will of God. We will carefully examine Peter’s message verse by verse to uncover its meaning for us today, applying it to our lives so we can glorify God in all we do. 1 Peter 4:1-11

1 Peter 4:1–11 ESV

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I. Christ’s Suffering and Our Attitude Toward Sin (1 Peter 4:1-2)

Peter opens by saying, “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking” (v. 1). The “therefore” points us back to the previous chapter, where Peter highlights Christ’s redemptive suffering on the cross (1 Peter 3:18). Here, Peter calls believers to adopt the same attitude toward suffering and sin that Christ had.

A. “Arm yourselves”—A Call to Warfare:

Peter uses military imagery, telling us to “arm” ourselves. This indicates that the Christian life involves spiritual warfare. The weapon we are to take up is Christ’s mindset, a readiness to suffer for righteousness. Jesus willingly endured suffering to accomplish God’s will, and Peter calls us to that same mindset.

B. “Whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (v. 1):

This phrase does not mean Christians achieve sinless perfection through suffering. Rather, Peter teaches that those who are willing to suffer for the sake of righteousness have made a decisive break with sin. Suffering for Christ’s sake shows that we are no longer ruled by sin and are committed to following God’s will, no matter the cost.

C. Living for the Will of God (v. 2):

Peter contrasts two ways of life: living for “human passions” versus living for “the will of God.” In Christ, we are called to leave behind a life driven by selfish desires and embrace a life that seeks God’s purposes. Peter emphasizes that we should no longer waste our time living in sin but rather commit ourselves to doing what pleases God.

II. Leaving the Old Life Behind (1 Peter 4:3-4)

Peter continues by reminding believers of their former way of life, saying, “For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do” (v. 3). He lists specific sins that marked their old life: sensuality, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

A. “The time that is past suffices”:

Peter tells his readers that they have already spent enough time living in sin. Whatever time was spent in the old life is enough—now they are called to live differently. This reminds us of Paul’s words in Romans 6:21, where he asks, “What fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?”

B. The World’s Reaction (v. 4):

Peter acknowledges that when Christians turn away from their former lifestyle, the world will often react with surprise and hostility. “They are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you.” The world does not understand why believers no longer participate in sinful behaviors. This is a common experience for Christians: we are often misunderstood or ridiculed for living a life that honors God.

III. The Coming Judgment and Living in Light of Eternity (1 Peter 4:5-6)

In verse 5, Peter reminds his readers that the world’s judgment is temporary, but God’s judgment is eternal. “They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”

A. God as the Righteous Judge (v. 5):

Peter’s point is clear: though the world may mock and reject believers for their commitment to righteousness, there will be a final judgment where all people will give an account to God. No one is beyond God’s jurisdiction—He will judge both the living and the dead.

B. The Gospel’s Power Even in Death (v. 6):

Verse 6 is somewhat difficult to interpret, but Peter seems to be addressing the situation of believers who had already died. He writes, “For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.” Peter likely refers to Christians who heard the gospel, lived for Christ, and then passed away. Though they faced death in the flesh, they now live with God in the spirit. This underscores the hope of eternal life for all who believe in Christ.

IV. Living in the End Times (1 Peter 4:7-9)

Peter then shifts his focus to how believers should live in light of Christ’s imminent return. “The end of all things is at hand” (v. 7). This is not a statement about a specific timeline but a call to live with a sense of urgency and readiness, knowing that Christ’s return is always near.

A. “Be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers” (v. 7):

Peter exhorts believers to be clear-headed and focused, especially when it comes to their prayer life. A distracted or sinful life hinders our prayers, but a life of self-control and sobriety allows us to commune with God effectively.

B. “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly” (v. 8):

Peter places supreme importance on love within the Christian community. He says, “Love covers a multitude of sins,” meaning that genuine love leads to forgiveness and reconciliation. Love allows us to overlook offenses and maintain unity within the body of Christ.

C. Practical Love: Hospitality and Service (v. 9):

Peter urges Christians to “show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” Hospitality was essential in the early church, as believers often opened their homes to others, especially in times of persecution. Peter reminds them to do this joyfully, without resentment.

V. Using Our Spiritual Gifts for God’s Glory (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Finally, Peter addresses the importance of using spiritual gifts within the church. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (v. 10). Every believer has received a gift from God, and we are called to use these gifts to build up the church and serve others.

A. Stewards of God’s Grace (v. 10):

Peter describes believers as “stewards” of God’s grace. A steward is someone who manages something on behalf of another. Our gifts are not for personal gain; they are entrusted to us by God to be used for the benefit of others.

B. Speaking and Serving (v. 11):

Peter categorizes spiritual gifts into two broad types: speaking gifts and serving gifts. He says, “Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies.” Whether we are teaching, preaching, or offering practical help, we should do it with the understanding that we are representing God and relying on His strength.

C. All for God’s Glory (v. 11):

The ultimate purpose of using our gifts is “in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Everything we do as Christians—whether speaking, serving, or loving—should point back to the glory of God. Peter ends with a doxology: “To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Conclusion:

In this passage, Peter calls us to a life that is radically different from the world around us. We are to follow Christ’s example, leaving behind our sinful desires, and living for the will of God. We are to be sober-minded, loving one another earnestly, and using our spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ. All of this is to be done for the glory of God, as we live in light of eternity and Christ’s imminent return.

May we commit ourselves to this high calling, living lives that reflect the holiness of God and the love of Christ. Amen.