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Arm Yourselves with the Same Way of Thinking
1 Peter 4:1-6
Introduction: When you think of suffering for righteousness sake, what do you think of? Typically we think of what Peter has already covered in his letter, that is, suffering for preaching the gospel message. However, in this section, Peter introduces a new reason for suffering for righteousness, and it was not only a serious problem in the first century, it has become an equally serious problem today. Amazingly, Peter teaches we can suffer because we no longer practice sin.
- Connecting the Texts
- In order to get the proper understanding of our text, let’s begin by seeing how the message of these first six verses flows from the previous context.
- First, notice the connection between 4:1 and 3:18. Peter began this section with, “Christ also suffered.” In 4:1, he furthers the same urging of following Christ by saying, “Since therefore Christ suffered…” In chapter 3, he suffered for preaching the gospel. In chapter 4, he suffered because he did not sin and would not live for human passions.
- Notice the flow of the text from 3:18,
- 3:18 Christ suffered that he might bring people to God. We also follow that example. It is all about bringing people to God.
- 3:19-20 Jesus, through Noah and the prophets, brought the salvation message even to a world that overwhelmingly rejected the message.
- 3:20-22 Even though only eight people believed, God saved those eight through water just as he still saves people from judgment today through the water of baptism by the power of the resurrection of Jesus who has been exalted above all power and authority.
- Peter’s encouragement is that though you are in the midst of a few, you too will be saved because Christ has conquered the authorities and powers of this world.
- Then 4:1-6, in order to save sinners, Jesus suffered because he would not sin, he would not turn from doing the will of God and follow the passions of the flesh. Therefore, we are to “arm ourselves with the same way of thinking.”
- Arm Yourselves with the Same Way of Thinking
- It is evident by the way verse 1 is worded that Peter is still urging these Christians to be willing to “suffer for righteousness sake” (3:14). Remember, this urging is not suffering for suffering sake, but for righteousness. In other words, our top priority is righteousness, and everything else will be secondary to it. We will always practice righteousness under all circumstances. No threat, no ill treatment, no consequence, and no feeling of being an outcast will cause us to compromise righteousness. Christians are champions of righteousness!
- Notice in the text that there seems to be a disconnect. Why would we suffer for refusing to participate in the world’s sins? Our first thought might be, “People who want to sin have the freedom to do that. What does that have to do with me? Why would their choices in some way affect me or cause me to suffer?” Two reasons:
- Verse 4 gives the first explanation: they are surprised when you do not join them and they malign you. Why? Why would a Christian be condemned for not joining in their sin? It is because by not participating the Christian sends the message of condemnation.
- The second reason we may suffer for refusing to participate in the sins of our culture is because we are seen as “strange” and get confronted and questioned. Our response to this suffering and confrontation is evident in 3:15 – we are to be ready to give an answer. In Ephesians 5:11-12, Paul said, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.” We are not only non-participants, we are teachers of righteousness. Again, we suffer because we send a message of condemnation.
- That principle of not joining is evident today. We are coming to the conclusion of the month of June which has been labeled Pride month. We celebrate D-Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day. But a whole month will be used to celebrate how people have sex or identify themselves sexually. And in that month, they dare any group, organization, or corporation to refuse to celebrate with them. It is not enough to be left alone to fulfill their desires; that is the law of the land. No, they are looking for the public, the government, and all companies and corporations to accept, promote, and celebrate their sinful lifestyle. And woe is you if you refuse!
- Some of you may not realize that there have already been those in government and in various corporations who have lost their jobs simply because they would not join in celebrating Pride. Even two of our own members were threatened with their jobs because they respectfully refused to support a Pride parade.
- This is the reason I have been preaching 1 Peter. We are not studying this letter because persecution might happen, we are studying it because persecution is happening. People feel judged by us simply because of non-participation.
- This brings up the principle how we are to answer for our stance against these sins. Anytime we are defending Christ’s teachings and defending our faith, we must understand the hearts of the unbelievers. Look at the words, “they are surprised when you do not join them.” Or the older versions, “They think it strange…” What does that tell you about their understanding of morality? They are completely and totally ignorant of any absolute lines/laws concerning what a people can do with their bodies. Here is where the words “gentleness and respect” in 3:15 become so important. You can’t shame a person like this. They will truly understand that approach as “hate.” Once that happens, you have lost the battle.
- It may also be important to understand that what God has defined as sin is commonly renamed in order to make the sin more palatable. This has been the Serpent’s tactic from the beginning. “Do not eat the tree? Ha! God knows that in the day you eat of it you will become like him! He doesn’t want you to have what he has. He’s trying to take away your freedom.” Isaiah 5:20, “They call evil good and good evil.” And so it is today. This is Pride month. Parents express pride in their children’s accomplishments and in doing things that promote the good of others. But this is Pride in what? Pride in sexual practices that God called “debased” and “against nature?” Pride in a lifestyle that has produced a 15% suicide rate? Do not be fooled by Satan’s terminology.
- Second, it is also critical to know that no one lives without any lines or rules. Everyone has a line they will not cross nor do they believe anyone else should cross. For example, we could ask a tactical question: “Do you believe it is acceptable to hate a person because of their personal decisions about gender or sexual choices?” The answer would almost always be, “no,” to which we would agree. Second question: “Do you believe that there are some lines that ought to be drawn concerning sexual practices – for example, the sexual abuse of a child?” Again, the answer would almost always be “yes.” Third question: “If there were a group that wanted to promote adult-child sex with parades, would you be willing to promote and march in the parade?”
- Therefore, each of us has lines that we draw that should not be crossed. I have chosen to follow the lines Jesus has drawn. You may have drawn your lines based on other principles. I would like to persuade you to follow Jesus’ lines. But even if you are not persuaded, I would never hate you nor force you to follow the lines I have chosen to follow. Can we agree that such an approach would be a mutually acceptable solution to our differences?
- You will notice that I have based my questions on two agreed upon principles:
- We each have lines/rules that we believe people should abide by and that there should be prohibitions against certain sexual practices.
- We both believe we should not hate or abuse those who disagree with us.
- Our primary disagreement is where those lines ought to be drawn. You may try to persuade me to follow your lines and I may try to persuade you. But even with this disagreement, we can live together with love for one another and without harming one another.
- No Longer Living for Human Passions but for the Will of God
- First, notice the phrase, “arm yourselves with the same way of thinking.” In the Greek, the word “thinking” is also translated “resolve.” Therefore, arm yourselves with the same resolve as Jesus in the regard to sin.
- Now notice the phrase, “Whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” Peter’s message is the extent one would go to cease from sin. Since Christ suffered for sin, a Christian is so determined to cease from sin that he would even suffer to avoid joining with those who sin. Such determination is proof he has ceased from sin.
- Verse 4 is a good gauge of whether we are truly done with sin, whether we are living for human passions or for the will of God. The people around you are surprised that you do not participate with them. If worldly people are never surprised or think it strange the way we live morally, maybe it is because we are compromising.
- Let’s just turn the statement of vs. 4 around. Ask yourself how strange you feel around people who are giving their lives to sin? How strange do you feel when you are in circumstances where sinful speech is being used and sinful activities are going on? How strange do you feel if you are watching television or a movie and sinful activities are being portrayed? If you don’t feel strange, it is evident that you are not “through with sin.”
- Now look more carefully at the phrase, they malign you. It is important to understand that in the first century no one cared if Christians worshiped Jesus. What was offensive, what caused Christians to suffer is that Christ is exclusive. The gospel of Christ calls mankind to reject all other worship, all other religions, and exclusively follow the words of Jesus and the apostles. That is what is offensive.
- Now consider the phrase, human passions. There are important conclusions we must draw:
- First, all humans have passions that are contrary to Jesus. No exceptions (1 Cor. 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.”). No one can talk about human desires and human sin and claim that somehow he or she is unique. “I was born different. When it comes to what I want in life, I’m a ‘unicorn.’ Therefore, you must accept and celebrate my unique fleshly desires. Don’t condemn me for who I am.”
- Peter is calling for a denial of human passions. These passions are described as sensuality (“a turning loose of inhibitions”), sexual passions, sexual promiscuity, drugs/alcohol, and general excesses practiced in idolatry. What does it take to no longer live this way? Self-control. In other words, we do not accept these passions as “our identity” or “this is the way I was born.” God has not allowed self-gratification.
- All of these gender claims and rights to immorality that are touted today are nothing more than excuses to fulfill human passions. They are nothing more than choices we sinful humans make.
- They Aren’t the Judge (5-6)
- How do you handle it when people are insulting you, or maligning you, or just plain astonished that you won’t join with them in the things they like to do that are against a disciple’s lifestyle? These two verses are the best.
- “They will give an account…”
- They will give an account for their insults. They will give an account for their licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, and drinking parties. They will give an account and you do not want to be among them having to give an account as well for the things you have done in joining in with them.
- To whom will they give an account? “Him who is ready to judge.” “Ready” means that He is prepared to judge. He is ready, willing, and able and He will judge.
- Further, His judgment is universal. The “giving an account” is universal: the living and the dead. That fairly well covers everyone, now doesn’t it? We need to be more aware of that. We need to be more conscious of the fact that we will give and account. Would you please just picture yourself before God and His judgment seat? Now you have to give an account. Woe to us if we must give an account because we weren’t doing anything that would be considered strange to those around us.
- The final point in vs 6 is a little difficult in the way it is rendered, but it is a great point. Look at it in the Net Bible: “Now it was for this very purpose that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh by human standards they may live spiritually by God’s standards.” In other words, because God is ready to judge the living and the dead, the gospel has been preached. That is exactly why we preach the gospel. We preach it because there is to be a judgment.
- So, who was it preached to? It was preached even to those who are now dead. It was preached to them while they were alive, but now they are dead. Peter is speaking specifically about the dead in Christ; those who obeyed after hearing the gospel. These had been judged “in the flesh by human standards,” which is why they were insulted and thought to be strange. But now, they live with God in the spirit because God judged them according to “His standards.”
- See the point? Who cares what insults you receive or how strange people think you are. They are judging you according to human standards. But one day you will live with God in the spirit because He will judge you according to His standards. Thus, when you are in those “strange” situations, think of how God sees you. Don’t compromise and have to face the One who is ready to judge. Be an exile so that you can live with God in the spirit.
Berry Kercheville