1 Peter 4

Greetings once again,

We continue this week in 1 Peter 4 (I'm not feeling creative with the intro this week). The outline (HOPES) also continues with the 'E' of hopEs.

This weeks memory passage is:
1 Peter 4:1,2,7,12-13 (ESV)
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.
⁷ The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

The outline theme is Emulate Christ's suffering and Endure Christ's sufferings. (that is, emulate the way Christ suffered, and endure the sufferings of Christ).

The first section (1-11) addresses Christ's suffering in the flesh and how we should approach that suffering in our lives. We are to 'arm ourselves' with the same thinking that Christ had. For if we suffer as He did, by denying the flesh and the world, we will be avoiding sin. This verse is not approval of asceticism (suffering in the flesh leads to sinless life) but an affirmation that following Christ in all His ways (according to all He commanded) and being crucified with Him (Gal 2:20) to the world (Gal 6:14) leads to a life of holiness and righteousness in the new self (Eph 4:24). It leads to a life no longer submitted to human passions, but to the will of God.

The behavior of the world (Gentiles; see text for list) will be judged by God according to His holiness and justice. We are clearly warned in His Word to avoid (crucify, deny) the behavior of the world and walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16).

Verse 7 is an interesting commentary on prayer. Peter mentions that the end of all things is at hand (meaning the return of Christ) and that we should be self-controlled and sober-minded in our prayers. These two things relate to our disciplines and our thoughts. Prayer is closely related to the the state of our minds and the state of our discipline. Our physical and mental posture affects our prayers (not kneeling or prostrate, but the condition of our bodies and minds). Paul writes at the end of 1 Cor 9 that he trains and disciplines his body so that it does not disqualify his preaching. Here, Peter writes that an undisciplined mind and body affects our prayers.

The end of this section focuses on life in the body. We are to love each other, show hospitality, and use our gifts so that the body might be edified and God may be glorified.

The second main section, (12-19; Endure Christ's sufferings) deals more with trials, persecutions and sufferings associated with following Christ. First of all, we should expect something. Peter says we 'should not be surprised' when trials come, as if it were strange. Our response to persecution, or sharing Christ's suffering, should be to rejoice. We can rejoice now, in the midst of our trial, because we know we will rejoice when He returns and His glory is revealed. We can set our hope fully on that future grace (1:13) that we will experience when appear with Him in glory (Col 3:4) and His glory is revealed.

If we are insulted for the name of Christ, we should be comforted in that we have Holy Spirit inside us and that He 'rests upon us' in those times. Suffering for breaking the law of man is not the same as suffering because of the name of Christ; one will lead to punishment by men, the other gives glory to God. Judgment at the hands of human law may come, justly or not, and it will begin with those who belong to God (because we SHOULD be easy to spot). And if we, who have the Gospel and the hope of God, face judgment and scrutiny for living righteously, how much more will the worldly and unrighteous be judged?

But thank the Lord for giving us encouragement at the end:
1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)
Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

He is faithful and good; and we can trust Him through it all. amen.

How does this affect my worship?
Rejoicing is a common theme in worship. We rejoice in who God is and what He has done. We rejoice in His victory of sin. We rejoice when He 'comes through for us'. But in this chapter we are reminded to rejoice when we are associated with and receive persecution because of Christ. And the foundation for that joy is that we KNOW we will be able to rejoice in heaven with Him for eternity. We will see Him like He is (1 John 3:2) and His glory will be revealed. God asks us to endure now, because the end of the story will be worth it.

How does this affect my discipleship?
That pesky verse 7 makes me squirm. Not the 'end of all things is near' part, but the second part. 'Be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers'. I know that how I treat my wife can affect my prayers (3:7), but how I treat my body does too? My self-control (will, discipline) and sober-mindedness (thoughts) affect my prayers. Becoming a disciple, much more making disciples, has to include some aspect of discipline; thought and action, mind and body. Dallas Willard reminds me that the 'spiritual disciplines' are all things we do with our bodies; they can't be separated (The Great Omission, chapter 8). How do I do that? And how do I teach that?

May the Lord fill you with the knowledge of His will,

Ethan