Live for the will of God

Intro—

Being a follower of Christ requires a change in how we live and what we value in life.

Before obeying the gospel our lives likely weren’t too different from the rest of the world.

We pursued things that were pleasant to our desires, and sought to fulfill our desires rather than the will of God.

As we saw in our last lesson, Jesus died so that we who were dead in our sins and unjust before God could be justified through Him.

Having been justified we must follow the example of our Lord Jesus and this means pursuing the will of God and not the lusts of our flesh.

Peter has been warning throughout the letter that living righteously will attract slander from wrongdoers and persecution/suffering.

Depending on how we are living that will determine if such persecution is a result of evil or good works.

And that it is desirable that we suffer for doing what is right than for doing what is wrong.

Just as Jesus who was just suffered for mankind which was unjust, so we too are going to suffer at the hands of unjust people as we seek to live for God’s will as our Savior did.

We must not participate in sins we died too in Christ. (1 Peter 4:1-6)

Christ suffered as our example (1 Peter 2:21-24; 3:18-22)

We are to use His example to know how to suffer in the flesh faithfully. (1 Peter 4:1)

He suffered, yet without sin. We are to follow His example and suffer for righteousness not for committing sin.

From the time of our baptism into Christ to the end of our time in the flesh we are to cease from sin and live for the will of God.

God’s will is given to us in His word and If we build our life upon it we can trust we are living according to His will.

Our former life was spent pleasing ourselves and our lusts, now that we have been redeemed by Christ’s blood we are to live for God’s will. (1 Peter 4:2-3)

For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. - 1 Peter 4:3 NASB 2020

Indecent behavior (sensuality; overindulgence in sexual behavior; Romans 13:13; 2 Peter 2:2).

Lusts (to desire earnestly, long for something, covet).

Drunkenness.

Carousing (a festive procession, merry-making, immoral feasting; Gal. 5:19-21).

Drinking parties.

Wanton idolatries .

All of these sins are geared towards pleasing the lusts of your body, and of overindulging in our senses.

Rather than trying to numb ourselves with overload of pleasures we are to seek God’s will and the joy it brings us.

Such living will invite those who knew us when we lives in sin to question our change in conduct. (1 Peter 4:4-5)

As the world races to pursue pleasures of the flesh, those who are God’s holy nation will stand out when they do not join in the race.

The initial surprise from unbelievers will eventually give way to anger and slander.

“You think you’re better than me?”

Their anger will not given them a way of escape from God’s judgment, rather they will be held to account by the same impartial judge of the living and the dead.

The gospel is preached for the purpose that those who believe and obey may escape the judgment of God. (1 Peter 4:6)

All who sin are dead spiritually before God.

The gospel takes those who are dead in the flesh and makes them alive in the Spirit, if they have faith and obey God.

In this way God provides grace to us so that we may stand in the judgment.

Those who remain dead in their sins and unbelief will perish in His judgment.

Use God's blessings and help for His glory. His glory. (1 Peter 4:7-11)

Though life seems long for us, and though it has been many hundreds of years since Peter wrote, we still are living in the end times.

After Jesus was raised from the dead to live in the Spirit until He returns is referred to in Scripture as the last days or the end times.

In this period of time the people of God await the return of Christ and preach the gospel to those who are still dead in their sins.

It could also be that Peter has in mind the coming judgment upon the former Jewish order, when in 70 AD the Romans would destroy Jerusalem and the Temple.

This judgment from God brought a final end to the former worship of the old Law, and it also sparked persecution of the Jews and also of Christians.

Christianity was originally seen as just a sect of Judaism, until after the destruction of Temple when it became increasingly distinct from Judaism.

Since we live in a world where it has been hundreds of years since the destruction of the Temple the reading of these verses is most useful in light of Jesus’ return.

Scripture repeatedly calls for followers of Christ to live with an expectation of Jesus’ return being imminent.

Not only because we do not know the exact time of His return, but also because it helps us remain motivated in godly living.

We expect the master’s return at any time, therefore we must be diligent to be prepared for Him at a moments notice.

To be ready for His return we must be sound in our judgment, evaluating situations and actions rightly according to God’s will.

Added to this is having a sober spirit, that is being vigilant and not intoxicated, so that our prayers will be offered in a right mind with healthy reasoning behind them.

Addressing our Father in heaven with proper respect, seeking His will and help during our time in the flesh.

We also must take care in our relationships with those who are made in the image of God, specifically those who are in the household of faith.

Our fellow believers are to be loved fervently, such unfailing love is to characterize our relationships and conduct towards each other.

Being willing to forgive and pardon our brethren when we are sinned against just as Christ loved us and suffered for us when we were unjust before Him.

Hospitality is another way of expressing our unfailing love for each other as we seek the good of others ahead of our own.

Hospitality always incurs a cost of time and expense on our behalf for the comfort of others.

It can easily become an area in which we practice this good work in a grudging manner with our teeth grit.

Yet, if we truly love others with an unfailing love then we will gladly take that cost on so that we may show love to our brothers and sisters.

As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. - 1 Peter 4:10 NASB 2020

In this way we should see all our gifts from God.

Having opportunities to love others or practice hospitality are blessings from God to us.

In fact, when we turn down hospitality or help from our brothers and sisters we are in essence robbing them of a blessing from God.

When we are given the blessing of an opportunity to serve others rather than ourselves we are getting to take part in Christ’s example to us in His love and service for our needs.

We are to take advantage of every opportunity to serve each other because in so doing we are good stewards of God that He uses to bring His grace to His people.

These blessings come in different ways and when they are given to us God also supplies us with what is needed to fulfill them.

So, when we have are given the occasion to speak whether in teaching, preaching, or encouraging others, we should use our speech to speak words of grace from God for those who hear us.

Seeking to edify and encourage others to righteousness.

When we have an opportunity to serve, we should do so with all the strength that God supplies us with to serve.

Jesus Himself is an example of this, for He trust in God to give Him the strength He needed to endure the cross.

And in all things, no matter the situation, we must seek to bring God glory through Jesus Christ, for it is His by right of who He is.

May He always be glorified as the Lord and God of all forever and ever.

Rejoice in suffering because it results in glory for Christ and God. (1 Peter 4:12-19)

Peter has been alluding to suffering and persecution being a possibility throughout the letter.

Now he speaks of it as a certainty which should not be surprising to followers of Christ.

He comes back to the imagery of how temporary suffering results in the maturity of our faith, describing the fiery ordeal of persecution as testing us.

This testing is not to surprise us because Christ suffered to leave us an example of what we would be called to suffer as well.

Suffering for doing what is right in a world that rebels against God.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. - 1 Peter 4:12-13 NASB 2020

Thus, when persecution or suffering comes upon us we do not lament it, rather we rejoice in it since we are being blessed with the opportunity to share in Christ’s suffering in the flesh.

In this way we can come to know Him better and deepen in our appreciate and love for Him and what He endured on our behalf.

As His disciples, if we have endured suffering in the same faithful and righteous manner that He did, when He returns it will only increase His glory and praise on that day.

For His return will vindicate our suffering and bring us our imperishable inheritance

So being insulted for the name of Christ is not to our shame, but a blessing, because it is proof of our being like our Master.

If we are living obediently and pursuing good works.

This is why we must be certain that when suffering or persecution comes it is not a result of our practicing sinful deeds.

If we suffer because we have sinned then it is not to the glory of Christ and God, but to our shame.

Judgment begins with God’s household.

If we have lived faithfully and righteously it will result in God’s glory and praise.

If we have failed to be righteous we will be cast out.

We know that even those who are in God’s household can fail to live obediently to the Master.

Since it is hard for the righteous to be saved how much more so those who live in sin?

Rather than bearing a grudge against those who persecute us we should so them mercy and grace.

Offering them the same gospel that saved us from our sins.

What better way to follow the example of Christ than to say, “Forgive them”?

Our only hope of standing in the judgment is God’s grace and Christs’ love.

We are to entrust ourselves to God the righteous, impartial judge, just as Jesus did in going to the cross.

He is the faithful Creator and if we have done what He says is right and necessary for salvation, then judgment holds no fear for us.

Endure suffering, do what is right, and trust in God continually.

If we seek to live godly lives we will eventually face persecution and suffering.

We must be prepared to suffer for doing what is right, and to trust that God will provide us with the strength we need to endure it.

Persecution is no excuse for wrongdoing, any more than lustful desires are.

So, we must be ready and eager to practice what God has said is right and good for us to do.

We must be diligent and sober in our prayers, we must love others and put their needs ahead of our own, and we must seek to always use God’s blessings to His glory.

If we do these things, then even if persecution comes we will understand it properly.

It will not cause us fear and dread, but rather be understood to be a time of testing and purification from God.

That we can rejoice in suffering for doing what is right because it lets us become better acquainted with our Savior and bring glory to Him in the judgment.

May God strengthen us all to patiently endure suffering, be zealous for good works so we may bring His grace to others, and to trust in Him until the day we receive our inheritance from Christ in His glory.