The Rest of Your Time, pt 1

1Pe 4:1 (KJV) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Illustration – time moves much slower in the south!

Peter had a great deal to say about time (1 Peter 1:5, 11, 17, 20). Four times just here in chapter 1.

Certainly the awareness of his own impending martyrdom had something to do with this emphasis.

If a person really believes in eternity, then he will make the best use of time.

If we are convinced that Jesus is coming, then we will want to live prepared lives.

Whether Jesus comes first, or death comes first, we want to make "the rest of the time" count for eternity. See this phrase in verse 2

And we can! Peter described four attitudes that a Christian can cultivate in his lifetime ("the rest of his time") if he desires to make his life all that God wants it to be.

1. A Militant Attitude toward Sin (1 Peter 4:1-3)

1Pe 4:1 (KJV) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

The picture is that of a soldier who puts on his equipment and arms himself for battle.

Our attitudes are weapons, and weak or wrong attitudes will lead us to defeat.

Outlook determines outcome, and a believer must have the right attitudes if he is to live a right life.

Illustration: Have you ever been to a restaurant where the lights are low, and you need a miner's helmet to find your table. Once your seated you start looking at the menu. After a few moments you will be amazed how easily you can read the menu. In fact you might even remark, "it doesn't take us long to get accustomed to the darkness."

It is easy for Christians to get accustomed to sin. Instead of having a militant attitude that hates and opposes it, we gradually get used to sin, sometimes without even realizing it. The one thing that will destroy "the rest of our time" is sin.

A believer living in sin is a terrible weapon in the hands of Satan.

Peter presented several arguments to convince us to oppose sin in our lives.

a. Think of what sin did to Jesus (v. 1).

1Pe 4:1 (KJV) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

He had to suffer because of sin (see 1 Peter 2:21; 3:18).

1Pe 2:21 (KJV) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1Pe 3:18 (KJV) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

How can we enjoy that which made Jesus suffer and die on the cross? If a vicious criminal stabbed your child to death, would you preserve that knife in a glass case on your mantle? I doubt it. You would never want to see that knife again.

Our Lord came to earth to deal with sin and to conquer it forever.

He dealt with the ignorance of sin by teaching the truth and by living it before men's eyes.

He dealt with the consequences of sin by healing and forgiving; and, on the cross, He dealt the final deathblow to sin itself.

He was armed, as it were, with a militant attitude toward sin, even though He had great compassion for lost sinners.

Our goal in life is to "cease from sin." We will not reach this goal until we die, or are called home when the Lord returns; but this should not keep us from striving (1 John 2:28-3:9).

1Jo 2:28 (KJV) And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

1Jo 3:1 (KJV) Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Peter did not say that suffering of itself would cause a person to stop sinning.

Pharaoh in Egypt went through great suffering in the plagues, and yet he sinned even more!

Suffering, plus Christ in our lives, can help us have victory over sin.

But the central idea here seems to be the same truth taught in Romans 6: We are identified with Christ in His suffering and death, and therefore can have victory over sin.

As we yield ourselves to God, and have the same attitude toward sin that Jesus had, we can overcome the old life and manifest the new life.

b. Enjoy the will of God (v. 2).

1Pe 4:2 (KJV) That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

The contrast is between the desires of men and the will of God.

Our longtime friends cannot understand the change in our lives, and they want us to return to the same "excess of riot" that we used to enjoy. Phase in verse 4.

But the will of God is so much better!

If we do the will of God, then we will invest "the rest of our time" in that which is lasting and satisfying; but if we give in to the world around us, we will waste "the rest of our time" and regret it when we stand before Jesus.

The will of God is not a burden that the Father places on us.

Rather it is the divine enjoyment and enablement that makes all burdens light.

The will of God comes from the heart of God and therefore is an expression of the love of God.

We may not always understand what He is doing, but we know that He is doing what is best for us.

We do not live on explanations; we live on promises.

c. Remember what you were before you met Christ (v. 3).

1Pe 4:3 (KJV) For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

There are times when looking back at your past life would be wrong, because Satan could use those memories to discourage you.

But God urged Israel to remember that they had once been slaves in Egypt (Deut. 5:15).

De 5:15 (KJV) And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

Paul remembered that he had been a persecutor of believers (1 Tim. 1:12ff), and this encouraged him to do even more for Christ.

1Ti 1:12 (KJV) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

We sometimes forget the bondage of sin and remember only the passing pleasures of sin.

We may not have been guilty of such gross sins in our preconversion days, but we were still sinners—and our sins helped to crucify Christ.

How foolish to go back to that land of life!

2. Patient Attitude toward the Lost (1 Peter 4:4-6)

1Pe 4:4 (KJV) Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Unsaved people do not understand the radical change that their friends experience when they trust Christ and become children of God.

They do not think it strange when people wreck their bodies, destroy their homes, and ruin their lives by running from one sin to another!

But let a drunkard become sober, or an immoral person pure, and the family thinks he has lost his mind!

We must be patient toward the lost, even though we do not agree with their lifestyles or participate in their sins.

After all, unsaved people are blind to spiritual truth (2 Cor. 4:3-4)

2Co 4:3 (KJV) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

and dead to spiritual enjoyment (Eph. 2:1).

Eph 2:1 (KJV) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

In fact, our contact with the lost is important to them since we are the bearers of the truth that they need.

When unsaved friends attack us, this is our opportunity to witness to them (1 Peter 3:15).

1Pe 3:15 (KJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The unsaved may judge us, but one day, God will judge them.

Instead of arguing with them, we should pray for them, knowing that the final judgment is with God.

This was the attitude that Jesus took (2:23),

1Pe 2:23 (KJV) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

and also the Apostle Paul (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

2Ti 2:24 (KJV) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

In verse 6, Peter was not teaching that there is a second chance for salvation after death.

Peter was reminding his readers of the Christians who had been martyred for their faith.

They had been falsely judged by men, but now, in the presence of God, they received their true judgment.

"Them that are dead" means "them that are now dead" at the time Peter was writing.

The Gospel is preached only to the living (1 Peter 1:25)

1Pe 1:25 (KJV) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

because there is no opportunity for salvation after death (Heb. 9:27).

Heb 9:27 (KJV) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Unsaved friends may speak evil of us and even oppose us, but the final Judge is God.

We may sacrifice our lives in the midst of persecution, but God will honor and reward us.

We must fear God and not men (1 Peter 3:13-17).

1Pe 3:13 (KJV) And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

1. A Militant Attitude toward Sin (1 Peter 4:1-3)

a. Think of what sin did to Jesus (v. 1).

b. Enjoy the will of God (v. 2).

c. Remember what you were before you met Christ (v. 3).

2. A Patient Attitude toward the Lost (vs. 4-6)

3. An Expectant attitude toward Christ (v. 7) 10 commandments of a balanced service to our Lord.

4. A Fervent Attitude toward the Saints (vs 8-11)