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Tag: Matthew

  • Judgment begins with God’s household – a letter from Peter 8

    Judgment begins with God’s household – a letter from Peter 8

    Our Attitude in these Last Days

    For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

    1 Peter 4:17 KJV

    I begin with Peter’s pointed call to account of the church and Christians from the King James Version of the Bible, judgment of our own actions first.

    Previously, Peter referred to the end of the living and the dead. He urges us:

    So, since Christ suffered in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same attitude… 1 Peter 4:1a NET Bible

    Now Peter will point every believer toward service and suffering in these last days when our attitudes must match that of Christ Jesus, as well as judgment of all for our words and actions after this brief mortal life.

    Living Stones

    Do you recall that Peter has called us; “faithful followers of Christ,” that is; living stones of the Temple of God with Christ as the cornerstone?

    If you follow Peter’s imagery of our saved souls building upon the foundation of Christ’s love, then every Christian believer in the living Church of His Body and Blood must adopt an attitude like Jesus.

    Peter has already urged us (the church):

    As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God— you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

    1 Peter 2:4-5 CSB

    Therefore, Peter now tells us how we must live as holy priests representing the Lord God before an unsaved and evil world.

    End Time Ethics

    1 Peter 4:7-19

    The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer.

    Be alert (pay attention). Be sober, reads the KJV; defined in this context: to be of sound mind and exercise self-control.

    What do you think of your church leaders… our local leaders… even national leaders? Do you ever wonder if they pay attention and are of sound mind? For some certainly exercise little self-control.

    Paul instructs the church not to be like those who are not sober and to ‘watch unto prayer’ – KJV

    The same Apostle to the Gentiles who often asks, “pray also for me,” urges the church to be on watch (while others sleep in this present darkness). And pray to God concerning the things yet to come, even death — even judgment of all souls.

    The Love of Christians

    Peter next begins, “Above all things; that is, what I am about to say is of superior importance to you in these last days, beloved brother in Christ.

    ἔχω ἐκτενής ἀγάπη εἰς ἑαυτοῦ
    echō ektenēs agapē eis heautou

    … fervent in your love for one another …

    … have fervent charity among yourselves…

    1 Peter 4:8b NASB, KJV

    Above all things… Maintain constant love; Christ’s fervent brotherly love between each other, my fellow ‘Christians,’ We MUST love one another as Jesus has loved us.

    Do WE do that – this agape love for each other in the church?

    Charity is a true definition of this much maligned love – kindness and tenderness, a true caring among all the family of Christ’s body, the church.

    We all sin just like unbelievers do, so Peter tells us (the saints of the church) to do this as witness of Christ’s love for His body the church.

    8 [NASB] Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.

    I certainly have a multitude of sins Christ covers. Do you?

    Jesus also told us why this agape love between Christians is so important.

    And because iniquity shall abound, the love G26 of many shall wax cold.

    By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love G26 one to another.

    The words of Jesus: Matthew 24:12, John 13:35 KJV

    Serving each other

    Peter instructs us:

    9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

    And just as Peter has instructed us to watch what we say and be careful in what we do, he applies this to God’s will.

    • 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words;
    • if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides…

    Peter provides motivation for our specific service to God within the body of Christ, the church:

    … so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything.

    To which the Apostle adds a praise:

    To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

    Suffering & Persecution

    Beloved – ἀγαπητός agapētos

    We see genuine examples of Christ’s agape love in all the Apostles. Although we tend to think of the tender heart of young John and of Peter as a brash follower of Jesus, here Peter addresses those he loves of the church in the same way that an older John does in his letters.

    We feel the compassion of Peter’s approach to these brothers (and sisters) who like him are persecuted for the sake of Christ.

    Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

    1 Peter 4:12 KJV

    Some versions of the Bible begin this: “Dear friends,” which we tend to dismiss so casually, as if in the salutation of an impersonal letter. This appeal of Peter’s is far from impersonal. Beloved, a true Christian attitude and appropriate translation of ‘agapetos‘ fits perfectly into the context of our relationships in the body of Christ Jesus. He IS the head, beloved, and sore wounded for our sins.

    Christ’s sufferings and ours

    13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

    Christ’s glory will be revealed to all the world when the judgement of the end has come. Will you be with Jesus then because you are for Jesus now even in your suffering?

    Once again the translation of the King James Version is more pointed in comparing our motivations now to those who suffer for doing evil.

    15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

    16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

    Judgment must begin in the house of God

    For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

    1 Peter 4:17 CSB

    It’s time for judgment!

    Judgment, you ask? Why does Peter tell persecuted Christians that the time for judgment has come? And more pointedly, what does Peter mean by saying that judgment begins with ‘God’s household,’ specifically us?

    We tend to think of judgment only as a sentence by a judge or worse, the punishment of a law-breaker; but this narrow view is not entirely correct and does not encompass Peter’s meaning.

    κρίμα {from κρίνω}

    From a greek root meaning to separate, approve, judge or resolve; Peter’s meaning here [krima] may also mean: condemnation of wrong, the decision (whether severe or mild) which one passes on the faults of others.

    Peter calls on the saints of the church to judge ourselves first. Jesus, in fact, used the same word calling for self-conviction before the accusation of others.

    “For in the way G2917 you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

    Matthew 7:2 NASB

    Peter points back to the wisdom of Proverbs 11:31, calling on us to be righteous, for righteousness in Christ is our redeemed measure of God.

    Proverbs 11:

    30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
     and a wise person captivates people. 
    31 If the righteous will be repaid on earth,
     how much more the wicked and sinful.

    Peter’s application of Judgment

    18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

    19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

    King James Version (KJV)
    Public Domain

    To be continued...

  • The End of the Living – a letter from Peter – 7

    The End of the Living – a letter from Peter – 7

    Living toward the End

    Peter challenges persecuted believers to Suffer for Good and trust God to punish those who do evil. He then proceeds to warn of the judgement and the end of those living souls as well as for those who are dead.

    Just as the end of all life will come, so must the end of your suffering. The Lord will judge your living soul accordingly after the time of all expires.

    Who shall give account?

    5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

    1 Peter 4:5 KJV

    The King James Version translates the Greek of Peter’s letter into words somewhat quait to our 21st century hearing. “The quick and the dead,” refers to the condition of all being judged after our death. Yet don’t miss the encouragement here in Peter’s contrast between believers and disobedient sinners, those who both infiltrate the church and persecute believers.

    the living

    Most versions of the Bible translate ‘quick,’ ζάω [zaō] as “the living.” From this we hear expressions like, “as I live and breathe” or, “[be] among the living.”

    Consider our more familiar references to ‘quick’ as the pace of something, even our quickly passing life. We tend to rush through our living of life more so than persecuted believers of the first century church. Yet we would do well in our quickness of life to consider its brevity.

    to give an account

    Perhaps in our money-driven daily lives of this 21st century we quickly think of accounting as it relates to buying and selling. This approach to Peter’s meaning is not entirely wrong, but you cannot buy your own soul.

    No good you accomplish in your quick days of living this life can outweigh the many sins of your living flesh.

    3:19 בְּזֵעַת אַפֶּיךָ תֹּאכַל לֶחֶם עַד שֽׁוּבְךָ אֶל־הָאֲדָמָה כִּי מִמֶּנָּה לֻקָּחְתָּ כִּֽי־עָפָר אַתָּה וְאֶל־עָפָר תָּשֽׁוּב׃

    Genesis 3:19 
    By the sweat of your face
     You will eat bread,
     Till you return to the ground,
     Because from it you were taken;
     For you are dust,
     And to dust you shall return.”
    - Genesis 3:19 NASB

    So how does God balance the good of your quickly dying flesh with the evil of our living soul?

    The writer of Hebrews cautions those who turn against the Lord, providing an accounting of the judgment of souls.

    And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

    Hebrews 9:27-28 KJV

    Peter assures us that whether we suffer for good, experience persecution for Christ or conversely if our daily living displeases God, know that all will give an account. Even the dead will give an account for actions against God during their lifetime.

    You must give an account even for inattentiveness to your living soul, for all will will give an account before the Lord.

    Your life will pass quickly, then you will die and be called to God’s Throne of Judgment of your eternal living soul.

    to him that is ready to judge

    1 Peter 4:

    Who will judge?

    To whom will your departed soul be required to give an account of your living soul?

    Peter’s encouragement to persecuted believers goes back to the reason for and objects of their persecution.

    Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding…

    3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do…

    … and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

    They will give an account refers to the gentiles who remain sinful. The Lord will judge every soul of those who decay in the flesh, yet some living in sin may be saved by your preaching of the Gospel.

    Just as Christ preached to those in the grave, so also will your redeemed life doing good preach the Gospel to those who remain sinners. Perhaps the Spirit will use you to bring some back to life.

    6 For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards.

    Who will judge our living souls?

    A Hebrew understanding of living relates more to the soul than to our flesh.

    Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

    So also it is written, “The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

    Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:45 NASB

    When will it all end?

    Certainly the end appeared to be at hand as the Roman Empire fell into further decline during the first century A.D. Peter writes to those living as Christians persecuted for their faith in Jesus. He too would suffer further and then be crucified in Rome.

    The church to whom Peter wrote suffered in their home towns in Asia minor (modern Turkey) as if the end of their lives could be at any time. The church in Jerusalem suffered greatly and Jerusalem itself would fall into ashes and dust at the hands of its Roman oppressors.

    Perhaps the end of all things is near. [1 Peter 4:7]

    Even in recent centuries some have thought judgement near.

    In October of the year of our Lord 1962, some will recall that the world stood at the brink of destruction by nuclear missiles from Russia and the U.S.

    In September of the year of our Lord 2001, some believed that an attack of followers of the false prophet would lead us into the last days. Perhaps it has. The Lord knows.

    But in any case, our end will come to the measured days of our mortal life. All will end, and then the judgement. God only knows when.

    And like the followers of Jesus to whom Peter wrote, we also know:

    We will die in the flesh and then be judged. AND our soul is saved from our sin by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ! Thanks be to God!

    Who shall give an account?

    Everyone – the living and the dead – will give an account for their living actions during the brief years of our flesh.

    οἳ ἀποδώσουσιν λόγον τῷ ἑτοίμως ἔχοντι κρῖναι ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς

    1 Peter 4:5 Morphological Greek New Testament

    So since all souls must give an account, let’s look deeper into Peter’s text of his first letter to the church (whose believers understand Greek).

    but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

    1 Peter 4:5 NASB

    λόγος

    Trench’s Synonyms: lxxvi. λαλέω, λέγω (λαλιά, λόγος).
    lxxxix. φωνή, λόγος.
    xc. λόγος, μῦθος.

    Do you see it – the account you must give?

    It’s Greek root is from a verb legō, meaning to say, speak or affirm. It is the same word Jesus uses when He says,

    “But I say G3004 to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court;
    and whoever says G3004 to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court;
    and whoever says, G3004 ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
    – Matthew 5:22 – Strong’s G3004 – BlueLetterBible.org

    From ‘legos,’ the root of the word Peter and Jesus use, we see that all will give an account for what we say, in addition to what we do. Yet returning to Peter’s use of account, look closer. Do you see the noun Peter uses?

    λόγος

    Logos – 

    The KJV translates Strong's G3056 in the following manner: 
    word (218x), saying (50x), account (8x), speech (8x), Word (Christ) (7x), thing (5x), not translated (2x), miscellaneous (32x).

    You will give an account [logos]. That is, of speech they will give an account for slander and words of hatred. They will give an account for false teaching which goes against the precepts of God.

    We all know that keeping score means to give an account at the end of the game. This is no game, but a brief life for which we will give account to Almighty God.

    Jesus often used this word with the same meaning as Peter uses here to encourage persecuted believers.

    “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts G3056 with his slaves.

    Matthew 18:23 NASB

    Greek-speaking Romans and Jews of the first century also referred to a word spoken from the Prophets in this way. Many of the Jews believed John the Baptist to be a Prophet with such power of the word of God spoken directly to man through him.

    Logos – Accounting in Peter’s words

    Peter has already encouraged readers of his letter with this same (logos) accounting:

    1Pe 1:23
    for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word G3056 of God.

    1Pe 2:8b
    for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, G3056 and to this doom they were also appointed.

    1Pe 3:1
    In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, G3056 they may be won without a word G3056 by the behavior of their wives,

    1Pe 3:15
    but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account G3056 for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

    Therefore, Peter will continue by urging us how to speak and act, now that we are in Christ. (I will continue Peter’s first letter to the church from his advise continuing in 1 Peter 4:7, God-willing.)

    Christ – the living logos

    No men understood better the accounting and true word of God than Jesus’ inner circle of Apostles. In addition to Peter, these included James and John.

    Consider the accounting of the living and the dead to be made before Almighty God from the words of the Apostle John, only surviving one of the Twelve who was not martyred for Christ Jesus. You may read of it in his letters, Gospel, or in The Revelation of Jesus Christ to the church:

    The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,
    who testified to the word G3056 of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
    Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words G3056 of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

    John, like those to whom Peter wrote, suffered for Christ. And as a living soul for Jesus writes to seven of the same churches in Asia with exhortation as to how we much live as Christ.

    John’s Gospel to the church best solidifies the identity of God and Christ. In fact, John includes this same word as Peter has just used in his letter.

    In the beginning was the Word, G3056 and the Word G3056 was with God, and the Word G3056 was God.

    And the Word G3056 became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

    John 1:1,8 NASB Strong’s G3056 – λόγος
    logos
    To be continued...
  • Suffer for Good – a letter from Peter – 6

    Suffer for Good – a letter from Peter – 6

    To do good or evil?

    Previously, from the background of Psalm 34 Peter urges the church to be like-minded in doing good. The Christian Standard Bible labels these verses, “Do No Evil” and the New King James Version, “Called to Blessing.” Yet just five verses later Peter calls on us to suffer.

    Our action? “Seek peace and pursue it.” [1 Peter 3:11b CSB]

    Peace, from the greek, εἰρήνη – eirēnē, is a trait of witness for followers of Christ, therefore Peter insists that we must pursue it to be Christ-like.

    Depart from evil and do good;
    Seek peace and pursue it.

    The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous
    And His ears are open to their cry.

    Psalm 34:14-15 NASB

    This, too, Peter urges from the Psalm; but then he draws an application from this Psalm of David applying it to followers of Christ.

    Pursue Suffering?

    1 Peter 3:

    The CSB calls it, “Undeserved Suffering” and the NKJV heads this section, “Suffering for Right and Wrong.” J.B. Phillips summarizes Peter’s central message of his letter to the church, “Do good, even if you suffer for it.”

    13-16 [PHILLIPS] After all, who in the ordinary way is likely to injure you for being enthusiastic for good?

    It’s a question of fairness, but also one about our motives in what we pursue.

    We may sense some fairness from unbelievers when we do good. Yet those who pursue good (but not Christ) sometimes pursue evil and may turn against Christ-followers.

    The Greek idea of pursuit here, διώκω – diōkō, actually suggests:

    ‘to make to run or flee, but also, to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after or to press on.’ Metaphorically to pursue good, to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire.

    Peter reminds from the Psalm that the Lord watches both those who pursue evil and those who pursue good.

    14 CSB But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed.

    Peter quotes the Prophet Isaiah [8:12] urging:

    Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

    Christ, holiness in your heart

    Patiently endure suffering, for our Lord and Savior also suffered.

    The NKJV states: 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and the NASB urges: 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. What does this mean to a follower of Jesus?

    Who is Lord? Who is supreme in your life?

    Peter’s guidance to the church comes from his own personal witness.

    – excerpt from Mark 8:27-29 CSB

    Jesus had asked Peter and the Twelve, “Who do people say that I am?” He then asked the Disciples, “… who do you say that I am?”

    Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.”

    Christ Jesus Lord!

    Χριστός Christos Ἰησοῦς Iēsous κύριος kyrios

    All of the Apostles (not just Peter) witnessed Jesus as the Christ to the church. John, who would have been with Peter here, also writes the Good News of their earlier calling:

    One of the two who heard John [the Baptist] speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon [that is, Peter] and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).

    John 1:40-41 NASB

    Have you found the Messiah?

    That is, do you have Christ [God with us] in your heart, Peter asks those who suffer for Jesus?

    Sanctify Christ as Lord

    If God is with you, then act like Jesus so that unbelievers may see the Lord in the actions of your heart.

    15-16 NKJV But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

    Sanctify Him in your hearts.

    What does that mean, what must I do?

    Understand the holiness of the Lord God!

    The Creator is not like any other man or object of His creation. And the Messiah Jesus must be honored with this same Holiness.

    Sanctify – ἁγιάζω – hagiazō – from hagios, ‘sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)’ – 1. to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable [commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity] or hallow; 2. to separate from profane things and dedicate to God; 3. to purify

    Some will recall Jesus’ instruction to the Apostles about prayer from the King James Version:

    Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

    Matthew 6:9a KJV

    Hallow the Lord in your heart, Peter tells us. καρδία – kardia, which we recognize as the heart ‘denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life.’

    All tradition from Jewish teaching recognizes the heart not only in the physical sense, but more importantly as ‘the centre and seat of spiritual life.’

    A Model for Suffering

    Gentleness and respect begin Peter’s list here of qualities of a sanctified heart for Jesus.

    He continues with keeping a clear conscience, so that unbelievers who slander you for doing good are put to shame before the Lord.

    Suffer only for doing good, but not for doing evil as the false followers of God will claim.

    For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.

    1 Peter 3:18a CSB

    Do you realize that your suffering for Christ Jesus may lead someone unrighteous to God?

    Peter, having God’s own Spirit in his heart, puts forth Jesus as our example of both suffering and hope.

    He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit…

    1 Peter 3:18b CSB

    He went and preached to the spirits in prison.

    Peter witnessed the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus! And Peter tells us more of the Lord’s victory over sin and death.

    Without Jesus’ death for our sin we would have no victory. Those who died not knowing Jesus had no victory, though they did suffer death.

    Who are these spirits in prison?

    It’s a somewhat secondary debate from the greek of Peter’s letter, but consider the events following Jesus’ death and His appearance three days later.

    The Gospel records that He yielded up His spirit [gk. pneuma].

    Matthew 27: NKJV

    Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints [ hagios or holy ones ] who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

    Peter now proclaims a cleansing of the spirit comparing baptism (permanent change possible only in Christ) to the Lord’s cleansing of the earth at the time of Noah.

    One understanding of prison as a Greek metaphor for waiting illustrates the time of one of the three watches of the night. (See Stongs’ explanation.)

    1 Peter 3:

    NIV 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.

    Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.

    1 Peter 3:21-22 CSB

    Why Suffer?

    1 Peter 4:

    Therefore since Christ suffered physically, Peter begins, understand why you must suffer for doing good for Him as your Lord. (Remember that these first century believers were already suffering for their faith in Jesus.)

    “Arm yourselves also with the same purpose,” the NASB reads.

    Why?

    “… because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin…

    You, beloved believer are changed permanently in Christ. For you suffer in the flesh as did our Lord AND you have ceased to sin.

    [You are] finished with sin— 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.

    What an uplifting encouragement from Peter to the suffering church. Yet he strengthens their personal resolve further.

    What remaining time did these suffering believers have?

    Perhaps little; some only days or weeks.

    And you, beloved follower of Christ, what little time might you have left to suffer in the flesh?

    Our Former Sin

    3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.

    Judge yourself, fellow sinner. Even if we have not committed some of these godless offenses in the eyes of the Lord, our flesh without Christ has coveted evil. Peter warns suffering believers to hold firm in our faith.

    4 They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander you.

    And I remind us where Peter began this contrast between you or me and those who cause us to suffer for Christ.

    2 … live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

    Peter then assures us of God’s fairness and judgement.

    They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.

    1 Peter 4:5 CSB

    Hope in the Gospel

    Peter speaks of Jesus preaching even to the dead. The end is near for some of the believers to whom he writes. What is the hope for those who suffer? Why must we suffer for Christ?

    For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards.

    1 Peter 4:6 CSB

    We were once dead in our sins. Yet God wants us to live in the spirit according to His will.

    Jesus, our Savior will judge, separating those who follow from those who will receive the justice of their own sin — punishment without the grace of God’s mercy.

    Endure in your suffering for Christ Jesus, in these last days.

    To be continued...