Put Aside the Old Ways

Today’s Text:              1Peter 4:1-11

Introduction

The Apostle has just told the believers that it was better to suffer for doing good that for doing evil, and has indicated that the glory and power bestowed upon Jesus was reward for His willingness to suffer death for the sake of the Gospel.  So will it be for us, if we are willing to suffer death if necessary for the Gospel of Christ.  Therefore…

Points of Interest

1-2:      Jesus suffered in His body, and we should take upon ourselves the same willingness to suffer.  This is a matter of priority; if we shrink from adversity to remain comfortable, then we have not taken on the attitude of Christ.  If we follow Him to the point of suffering even death, then we will have shifted our life’s focus away from the sinful things and onto the things of God.  This is necessary for spiritual growth.

3-5:      Peter is reminding us how much of our lives we have wasted on the things of this earth.  Our old friends will be irritated that we have discontinued in reverie and carrying on and will heap abuse upon us for it.  Just remember that the day is coming when they will have to give account, and their punishment will be far worse than any abuse we might receive on earth.

6:         “…those who are now dead…” refers to our ‘old friends’ who reject the Gospel and continue to live according to the ways of this world.  They are dead in their slavery to sin.  When the day comes, they will be judged accordingly.

7-9:      Since all things will soon conclude, keep sober-minded and under control so that you can focus your life on your relationship with Christ.  Thus, love one another, behave like Christ and don’t hesitate to be generous with your hospitality.  These are things by which all can see the love of Jesus Christ in action.

10-11:  These verses continue with what Peter wrote in the last few verses; he is showing us how we should live.  Notice that all of the things he mentions here are things that result from our understanding that we are God’s humble servants.  These are things which do not result from our living as the pagans do.  Our focus on relationship with Christ begins as an inward thing, but the result if always our love for others and service to God.