I Peter Chapter 4
Peter continues describing the life of a believer, wanting the reader to realize that they may suffer for Christ. When a person suffers physical persecution for the sake of Jesus, it almost always profoundly changes the outlook of the believer. It causes them to want to live more like Christ as they see the last days approaching. Peter describes the life of a believer as being different than a non-believer. Suffering will also cause the believer to see that they are no longer a slave to sin, they can make the right choice and stand firm in their faith. Peter admonishes the believer to no longer take part in the sinful activities that the world offers.
Let's Reflect
1. The believer is no longer concerned about living for their own passions but instead is concerned about what?
2. What are the Gentiles (or the non-believers) surprised about?
Peter explains this is exactly why the gospel is preached – to show the non-believer that there is a way of escape from sin and its eternal judgement of death. All of mankind is dead spiritually because of their sin. But with Christ they are made spiritually alive because they have passed from death unto life. Jesus said in John 5:24Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment but has passed from death to life.
3. All believers have been given a gift, a purpose, what are we to use that gift for?
4. We know that we should show love to others but what do you think Peter meant by offering hospitality without grumbling?
5. We each have been given various gifts by the Holy Spirit that we are to use for the furtherance of the gospel. What is the ultimate reason for you to use your gift(s)? See verse 11.
6. Peter reminds us that if when we suffer for Christ, we should not be found guilty of being a sinner like the rest of the world, (like a murderer, or an evil doer or a busy body, for example). Peter describes this type of person as being “scarcely saved”, meaning they claim to have become a believer, but their lifestyle does not prove it. We might want to examine our heart if we do not suffer for the sake of Jesus. We should expect to suffer for Christ in this life in some form. And we should glory in the fact that we get to suffer for His namesake. What is our greatest purpose in suffering for Christ?
