LESSON 15 • Living for God
1 Peter 4:1-11

Overview and Highlights

Suffering is a term in our present day western culture that is a challenging concept to adequately parallel with the suffering of first century Christians or Christians in other oppressed cultures and historical times.

Peter wrote this letter to Christians who were suffering because of the political and religious climate of that day. Claiming to be a Christian or following the teachings of Christ were many times synonymous with physical suffering or even death. Peter knew that significant challenges were at hand for Christ’s people – challenges that would test ultimately their faith and lifestyle. He wanted to prepare them for this time.

Our sufferings and trials at present are sometimes difficult to identify or justify by first century standards. We do, however, live in a time that because of our “freedom to pursue happiness” and everything that is conventionally associated with that freedom, are in danger of a weakened faith because of an afforded lifestyle and possibly our unwillingness to endure suffering. According Wiersbe, (1982) “the only comfortable Christian will be a compromising Christian, and his comfort will be costly.”

This part of I Peter stresses the importance of time and using what time we have in this world wisely. If a person truly believes in eternity, he/she will make the best use of time. We want the time we are given to count for eternity.

Whether we suffer as the Christians in the first century or suffer in a contemporary world that challenges our faith by pulling us away subtly, Peter has a message for us in terms of living for God.

Suffering alone will not cause one to live a godly life. Pharaoh suffered the plagues yet continued to lead a sinful life. Many who suffer from illness, a death in the family, a loss of employment or home have lived embittered lives because of their responses to suffering. Only when Christ is added to the equation can we learn to live victoriously.


Passage Study


Peter writes about Christ’s suffering due to the sin of this world. He came to deal with sin and conquer it forever. He dealt with it by living and being truth among men and women and ultimately suffering for our sins on the cross. Peter challenges us to thereby have it as our goal to “cease from sinning” and live our remaining earthly years striving to live for God.

In the first part of the chapter, Peter describes all kinds of sinful practices that were apparently a significant part of the lifestyles of his first century audience before their conversion to Christ. Peter is reminding them of what they used to do before Christ – almost as a warning to not get caught back in those traps. We as contemporary Christians tend to not pursue the memories of our past sinfulness. Peter, however, appears to urge us to reflect and compare living in sin and living for God. In other words, looking back may help us from going back. We may not all be guilty of the very same things as described in verse three, but our sins helped to crucify Christ. How tragic it would be for us to go back to our life before Christ!


Christians are misunderstood and misrepresented by the world. The world does not comprehend the transformation that takes place in a child of God. The world does not place the same value on morality, integrity, character, faithfulness, and love as the Christian does. We impact the world through our spiritual living, and in many circumstances our lives witness to those who are seeking a better way to live and cope with the trappings of this worldly existence. 


Hybels (1999) uses the analogy of a high school basketball coach teaching his players to be aware of how much time is on the game clock. Good coaches will tell the players over and over again to keep one eye on the clock. A player who is not attentive to this will start spending time on the bench, and ultimately could lose their place on the team. 

Christians need to keep an eye on the clock as well. Peter expresses to his readers a need to prepare and be watchful. Many Christians in the early church expected the return of Christ during their lifetime. Christ has not returned yet, and over time, it is tempting to invalidate the urgency of this prophecy if we hold to our standard of time. No matter what interpretation is given to the first part of this verse, we must all live with the same expectancy. Whether it’s in our lifetime or a thousand years from now, we will see Christ one day and stand to give an account of our godly or ungodly walk in this life.

The term “clear-minded” or “sober-minded” might as well have a modern day equivalent of the vernacular “keep cool.” In part, it was a warning against being influenced by misinterpreted prophecy that could lead a person to an unbalanced life and ministry. The clear-minded Christian will be more able to live and pray purposefully and will strive to exercise restraint; not living impulsively, but giving himself/herself to a prayerful lifestyle that is alert and meaningful. It is in prayer that we are given the “something to hang on to” as we struggle daily. According to R. A. Torrey, “Prayer is the key that unlocks all the storehouses of God’s infinite grace and power: All that God is, and all that God has, is at the disposal of prayer.” 


Peter in this section encourages us to honor God and show Him to the world by how we treat each other, and how we use the spiritual endowments and talents that are unique to each person. Peter reminds us that one of the greatest expressions of service is loving and forgiving. For the world, we ought to be the mirror of Christ. It is by observing us in our daily interactions that others see the reflection of Jesus. It is also by the way we minister to each other through hospitality, witnessing, and serving that we disengage the hold that the world and its temptations have on us.



Discussion

1. What were some of the sufferings and trials to come that Peter infers throughout his letter? What are the sufferings and trials of the 21st century Christian?

2. Peter calls us to be watchful and careful not to waste the time we are allotted. What are some of the things of the past that you have had to leave behind? What might happen if we don’t break away from past sins and activities that adversely affect our living for God? How might they cost us in terms of time?

3. There may be times when it is not healthy to dwell on past mistakes, but in Deuteronomy 5:15, God reminds the Israelites of their enslavement to Egypt and how He rescued them. Should we look back or remember sins that have been forgiven? Why or why not?

4. In Acts 26, Festus accused Paul of losing his sanity because of his conviction to live for Christ. Peter also warns us that some will attempt to pull us back into sinful activities. (vv. 4-5) What pressures have you encountered (implicit and explicit) from those who are in opposition to your life in Christ? 

5. In verse 7, Peter admonishes, “…be clear-minded and sober-minded so that you can pray.” Paul also speaks of the significance of “being sober-minded” or “self-controlled” throughout the epistles. (i.e. I Tim. 3:2, Titus 2:1-6) What implications does clear-mindedness or the lack of it have on your prayer life? What do you consider to be “effective praying?” … “affective praying?”

6. In verse 8, loving one another is given a profound emphasis within this text. Peter states that “love covers a multitude of sins.” Can our love for others forgive sins? What does Peter mean? How is grace-magnified love an act of service to others?

7. In the last few years, our church has undergone a renewed awareness of gifts and talents among our members at Pleasant Valley. Peter makes it clear as well that we all have spiritual gifts and must find opportunities to use them in service to each other. (vv. 10-11) What has helped you discover, fine-tune, and/or learn how to use your gifts or talents?


References

Harney, K., Harney S., & Hybels, B. (1999). Stand Strong. Zondervan Publishing: Grand Rapids, MI.

Kohlenberger, J.R. (1993). Naves Topical Bible Series: NIV Compact Series. Zondervan Publishing: Grand Rapids, MI.

McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru-the-Bible Series: I Peter. Nelson Publishing: Nashville, TN.

Strong, J. (1985). The New Strong’s Concise Concordance. Nelson Publishing: Nashville, TN.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1982). Be Hopeful. Chariot Victor Publishing: Colorado Springs, CO.





Dan Barrington

Dan and his wife, Cindy have been members at Pleasant Valley since 1988. Dan teaches at the University of Central Arkansas in the Department of Early Childhood and Special Education. Cindy is a band director at Benton Middle School. Their dog, Jojo, is home-schooled.