Be Prepared to Follow Christ's Example (1Peter 4:1-6)

BE PREPARED TO FOLLOW CHRIST ‘S EXAMPLE (1Peter 4:1-6):

Peter, being one of the closest disciples of Jesus Christ, knew more about Him. Peter encourages the elect by writing them about the perfect example that is Jesus Christ. He continues to write to the elect to have the same way of thinking as Jesus Christ. Christ had suffered in the flesh without any sins, becoming a ransom for the sins and trespasses of mankind. If the elect arm themselves with thought as same as that of Christ, they will best lead their life in a Godly manner. They will be ceased from sins as whoever suffers in the flesh for God’s sake and rig\hteousness sake will Love God with all their heart, mind, and soul as well as Love others as the self. The believer who suffers in his flesh will avoid sin though tempted or fallen at times. Because the believer in Christ desires to live for the will of God, by knowing and following the commandments of God. Though a person tries to gratify the self and the human passions before knowing Christ, the believer who had known the real essence and purpose of life will not live for ungodly human passions for the rest of the time in his flesh.

Peter then reminds the believers about their actions of the past which were the ungodly human passions. For a normal person, who had not known true God or who deny God as that of the Gentiles of Peter’s period, wants to do anything their heart desires without any hindrance because there is no real meaning in their life. Living in the sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, lawless idolatry is all that the mankind thinks as pleasurable, enjoyable and most of them spend their time, treasure and talents for it. But when a person had known and accepted true God into his life, his life had become transformed and worthier. The values and virtues are strengthened by morals and ethics. So when the Gentiles see the believers who were once doing the same as them, get surprised when they do not join them in the same flood of debauchery. Most of the Gentiles could not understand the work of the transformation through genuine repentance and grace of God. So, they malign believers and spread a bad reputation by speaking about their past lives of evil and human passion.

The non-believer talks bad and behaves badly with the transformed believers, but they will give account to the Lord who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Because the living who are the believers undergo the sufferings as that of Jesus Christ. God who is the righteous judge will comfort and uplift them by dealing with the dead who despise God and live an unworthy life. The believers should be prepared for suffering evil instead of fighting for evil and being united with those who are destined for judgment. Gospel for repentance and need of God is always preached in general to all even in the days of Noah and many other prophets throughout the ages. God is always genuine in dealing with people who had never heard Him but sought Him having good deeds. The people who are dead in the Spirit will be judged according to the human laws, regulations by physical death as in the days of Noah. God’s grace and his eternal purpose made the people live according to God’s will in the Spirit, once a person believes.

Stimulations for Self-Reflection

1.      How Christ has suffered? Why?

2.      How the believers ought to be as comparing to Christ suffering? Why?

3.      What were the lusts of men or Human passions?

4.      Why a believer should not live the rest of the time in the lusts of men?

5.      How a believer can live according to the will to God?

6.      What were the Gentiles' feelings towards transformed believers? Why?

7.      Who will be judged by God? Why

8.      Why the Gospel was preached?

9.      What does ‘Judged in the flesh the people are’ and ‘might live in the spirit the way God does’ mean?

10.  How we can avoid ungodly human passions and sins?