1 Peter 4:1-6

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.

Like the previous passage, this text has some difficult things for us to understand in light of Scripture.  As I have stated, the purpose of this blog is not to be an academic work that considers and defends all interpretations.  I do not do in depth research to consider all possibilities; I simply strive to interpret and apply the text to the best of my ability and offer it as a consideration.  With that said, here are my considerations on this difficult passage.

CHRIST SETS US FREE FROM SIN: The sufferings of Christ on the cross where for one purpose: to set believers free from sin.  Our sins are forgiven because of Christ’s sacrifice.  This is a glorious truth.  Just as glorious is the truth that sin has been defeated and all who believe will spend eternity without sinning at all.  Not one sinful act, thought, or motive.  What a glorious day that will be!  Before God this is already a reality and for us it is becoming a reality.  As followers of Christ, we should live out the rest of our days on earth in these sin cursed bodies, striving to walk according to the will of God and not according to the desires of our flesh.

CHRIST WILL BE THE JUDGE OF SIN: Our past slavery to sin has ended and we no longer live under the condemnation and control of our sinful desires.  The world without Christ will continue to live immoral, intoxicated, and idolatrous lives.  We will be surrounded by this kind of behavior and those who practice it may seem to prosper in their wicked ways.  They will try to tempt us to join them, persecute us when we don’t, and wonder why we live the way we do.  We are called to take advantage of this curiosity to warn them of the wrath to come and proclaim the Gospel to them so they can join us in a life of freedom from the penalty, power, and eventually the very presence of sin.  Apart from faith in Christ all those who reject Him, live enslaved to sin, and persecute the followers of Christ will face eternal condemnation from the Lord Jesus who is the righteous Judge of the living and dead.

CHRIST GIVES US LIFE AFTER SIN: The Gospel is preached to those who are dead in the trespasses and sins so that they might find new life in Christ.  This is the clearest and most biblically consistent way to interpret this passage.  It could, as mentioned in the previous passage, refer to the preaching of the Gospel to Old Testament saints.  However, it must not be interpreted as some sort of “second chance” preaching of the Gospel to unbelievers who have died.  That would contradict many plain teachings of Scripture.  All of us were born spiritually dead in our flesh.  When we heard the Gospel and believed, we were born again with a new spiritual life that we enjoy as He works through the Spirit to give us victory over our sin with the assurance that we will inherit eternal life completely free from sin and all its consequences.

APPLICATION: Take great hope in the truth that we will have an eternity completely free from sin.  Walk with the Lord while we remain on this earth and continue to progress in obedience to His will.  Turn from temptation and run towards righteousness.  Boldly and faithfully proclaim the Gospel to the lost and dying world around us warning them of the wrath to come.  Invite others to join us in the joy of eternal life.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hebrews 10:32-39

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.     For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.     Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.     For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.     For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”     But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Endurance...
Read more

James 3:5-12

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!     And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.     For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.     With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.     From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.     Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?     Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Medications come with warning labels about negative side effects they might cause...
Read more

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. It is important to remember the general theme of this section is submission.  The previous section was on wives submitting to their husbands.  This section is on husbands submitting to their wives.  Submission has nothing to do with inferiority and leadership has nothing to do with superiority.  According to Scripture, leaders are called to serve.  Service is an act associated with submission. HOW HUSBANDS SUBMIT TO THEIR WIVES: The two words Peter uses to describe how husbands are to submit to their wives are understanding and honor.  There are stark differences between men and women.  We look at the world a little differently and think about things differently.  Men will often have a difficu...
Read more