Live for God
1 Peter 4Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, y’all should arm yourselves* also with the same attitude, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin, spending the remaining time in the flesh living not for human desires, but for the will of God. For y’all have spent enough time in the past carrying out the desire of the ethnic groups, having walked in sensuality, desires, drunkenness, hard partying, binge drinking, and illicit idolatries. They are shocked that y’all don’t rush into the same excess and extravagance, so they vilify y’all*. They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged according to human standards in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.
But the end of all things is near. Therefore y’all be self-controlled and sober-minded for the purpose of prayer. Above all, hold onto a deep love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as excellent stewards of the grace of God in its various forms. If anyone speaks, let it be with the words of God. If anyone serves, let it be from the strength which God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Rejoice in Sharing Christ’s Suffering
Beloved, y’all shouldn’t be surprised by the fiery trial that has come to test y’all, as though a strange thing were happening to you*. But inasmuch as y’all share in the suffering of Christ, y’all should rejoice so that at the revelation of his glory y’all may rejoice with exceeding joy. If y’all are insulted for the name of Christ, y’all are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on y’all. But let none of y’all suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or one who meddles in the affairs of others. But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, do not be ashamed, but rather praise God that you bear such a name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it starts with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the gospel of God? “If it is difficult for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”+Prov 11:31 Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God should entrust their souls to their faithful creator in doing good.