Aliens and Exiles - April
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1 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, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 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. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 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.
Thesis:
Thesis:
The People of God must now be prepared to live by Christ example of suffering. Not following the worlds example but living by the spirit and killing the flesh
Intro
Intro
Endurance in suffering
Endurance in suffering
1 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,
What we have seen in the preceding verses is that Jesus himself suffered greatly for the people as seen in,
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
Jesus willingly submits to suffering on behalf of the people, bruised, beaten, hated and killed. the king of glory in your place suffered the most undeserved punishment that have ever taken place. but did it for you and didn't fight back.
With Jesus as an example the call is to follow him. we are told by peter that we are to think the same as christ in our approach to suffering.
for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
The reason we participate in the suffering of Christ is the ceasing of the sinful life.
suffering does something to our souls that purges and refines out faith which we see in 1 Peter 1:7
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
suffering does not render the believer completely sinless. Rather what we see in this text is a believer who shares in the life and suffering of Christ is now living in a justified manner, they have broke with the sinful ways of the world.
One who chooses to suffer for christ’s sake is not participating in the sinful ways of the world, rather they are now chosen to as verse two states
2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
Leaving sinful passion and ways behind we now live in the spirit denying the flesh.
We are now aligned with the will of God and in doing so we are free from the marks of sin
Christian let me make this clear, If you align your self with Christ, if you choose to participate in his life suffering and death, the stain of sin has been removed from you. this is not to say that you will not sin but rather the power of sin died in the death of christ you now identify with
Way of the world
Way of the world
3 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.
Here peter Elaborates on what it means to live by the will of God by expounding on sinful passions
Peter starts here with an almost sarcastic line, saying you have sinned enough! you have sinned enough in the past you not need to do what the gentiles are doing.
These sinful passions that people participate in are
Sensuality: living with no regard for moral restraint, often refers to a sexual sin however can refer to over indulging in sins such as porn, lust, gossip food, any form of misguided or lack of restraint
Passions: any form of ungodly craving that is entertained, doing what you want to do regardless of impact.
Drunkenness: any loosing of sobriety
Drinking parties: party with purpose of getting drunk
Orgies: sexual activity with multiple people
Lawless idolatry: rebellion against god and human institutions
Peter is saying, no one can say I just want more time to sin, if you are with christ you have done enough now walk in freedom.
enough is enough leave sin in the past and follow Jesus.
As the elect aliens and exiles we are we live differently then the world. the world does not take issues with these sins yet we know that Christ has called us away from this and we now live according to Christ’s call.
In living this way the text says we will be hated
4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;
Have you ever experienced the shock when you wont sin?
this is christ call
We are called to not join in their debauchery, and that they will slander and hate you over it.
Eschatology
Eschatology
5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 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.
There is a hope written into this text. Jesus is not calling the people to suffer and do nothing for nothing
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
For those who are abusing, hating the church and causing and participating in the cause of suffering there will be the full judgment for their sin.
They cannot escape the responsibility of their actions in this life as God may choose to bring judgement upon them while alive but their is a serious statement that their is a final judgement that comes even after death.
those who do evil will not be able to escape. their actions as not even death will bring escape from the judgement of the Lord.
This is why the Gospel
This is why the Gospel
6 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.
This is one of those texts that complicates our understanding as it seems to imply that peter is saying the Gospel is preached to people who have died before hand.
and while that is a possibility and something I will ask Jesus some day
However what we see here is as statement of assurance
Just as those who are against christ are judged in death those who are in christ and are judged and persecuted in the world are now set free in the spirit
The assurances is that those who have the Gospel, Those who live this call as believers might get to live in the spirit the ways god does.
The fact of the matters is that we were numbered amongst those would be judge eternally
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
It is in the turning from our sinfulness and in participation in the person of Christ we will not be judged
Rather that for all eternity we will live with God, in the presense of out lord and saviour.
