1 Peter Chapter 4 Pt. 2 Our Old LIfe And New LIfe In Christ Contrasted

1 Peter 4:1-2  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2)  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 

Peter began this chapter with these words to encourage us to put on the whole armor of God because trials, troubles and suffering for Christ will happen to us.

The apostle urges us to have the mind of Christ in us, so that when we face trials, troubles or persecution, we will respond with the heart of Jesus guiding us (See Philippians 2:5-8).

Life before Christ was full of sin, for many of us.

1 Peter 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 

The Spirit of God guided Peter to reflect upon what life was like for a believer in Christ, before he or she was born again. 

This is why we read the words "For the time past of our life."

I remember all too well, following the lust of my flesh and living in rebellion against my parents and God. 

Peter's words, like Paul's, bring comfort to us. Peter describes our life before Christ and this helps us to view sin as God sees sin. 

It reminds us that all Christians have a life before Christ, before salvation. We were all sinners, destined for eternal condemnation. 

We all came short of the glory of God and did not measure up to His perfect holiness and righteousness. 

For some of us, life before Christ was a life of unbridled lusts, and drunken debauchery, focused upon depraved idolatry. 

For others, life before Christ was not overtly bad, but marked by spiritual deadness toward God. 

Thus, the apostles always remember to say "and such were some of ye" when describing how lost people live. 

Paul also describes this past life of a believer in similar terms (See Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Corinthians 6:11-20)   

New life in Christ for a Christian, is a richly blessed life. 

1 Peter 4:4-5  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5)  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 

Peter now speaks about what happens in our heart when we hear and heed the gospel and are born again. 

The Spirit of God does a quickening work, imparting spiritual life into our soul, which before was dead toward God (See Psalm 19:7. 119:105; 119:130). 

The Spirit of God regenerates our heart and renews our mind (See Titus 3:4-6). We begin walking in newness of life, as old habits, and patterns of life pass away (See Romans 7:4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Because a new believer has been fundamentally changed at his or her core, family, friends and neighbors notice the transformation that is occuring. 

Unbelieving people that we used to run around with, now turn on us. They think we are strange, because we now follow Christ and no longer do the sinful things we used to do. 

Those people may even start spreading lies about us and seek to tarnish our character. 

Unbelieving people will turn on us partly, because they do not understand the work that God did in us, when we turned to Jesus Christ with repentant faith. 

This is okay, for we will build a new circle of friends who are believers in Jesus Christ. Our new life will begin to revolve around the scriptures, the Lord Jesus Christ, and our local church. 

Peter points out that when the sinners who attack us stand before God in judgment, they will be held to account for their attacks upon us. 

We must be tell others about the gospel and trust God to do the work.

1 Peter 4:6  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 

Therefore, this is why Christians must be faithful witnesses for Jesus Christ. The Great Commission tells us to teach people in all nations to keep Christ's commandments (See Matthew 28:18-20).

Peter is telling us that we must tell others about Jesus Christ. We must share the gospel with them because it is the power of God unto salvation (See Romans 1:16-17).

We share the sweet aroma of the gospel with those who do not know Christ. 

2 Corinthians 2:14-16  Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15)  For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16)  To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 

When we share the gospel of Christ with others, it is like spreading a sweet smelling aroma from God's Word, into their lives. 

Some that we witness to, will remain hardened and in unbelief. They will face God in their sins and be condemned for eternity. 

Thus, we will be the savour of death to them, for they are now accountable to God for the word that they heard from us. 

Some, however, will respond to the gospel, and be born again into the family of God. They will begin to enjoy new life in Christ, because the Spirit of God regenerated their heart. 

We will be a sweet smelling aroma from God to those who hear and heed the gospel. They have eternal life because we shared the life giving gospel of Christ with them. 

A resurrection of life and a resurrection of damnation.

John 5:24-29  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25)  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26)  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27)  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28)  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29)  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 

Each Christian has passed from the condemnation of death, due to the wages of our sins, into eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Son of God, Jesus Christ, shall return one day, to take all those in Christ, home to heaven (See 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). 

The dead in Christ shall hear their mighty Lord's triumphant shout, and they will be raised to live with a new body, in heaven, for eternity.

However, after the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven is complete, there will be another resurrection, the resurrection of damnation.

All Christ rejectors who refused to hear and heed the gospel, will be raised and stand before the Judge, Jesus Christ. He will judge them for their wicked works and condemn them to eternity in Hell. 

There are only two groups of people on the earth today. Those who are believers and are in Christ. And those who are unbelievers and not in Christ. 

Believers are going to be taken to heaven by Jesus Christ. Unbelievers shall be condemned to hell.

Believers in Christ shall enter into the joy of the Lord but unbelievers shall enter into eternal flames and torment. 

Let us therefore, be diligent to share the good news that was announced to the shepherds abiding in the fields. A Savior has been born, Jesus Christ the Lord.

He came to save us from our sins. He will save all who call upon Him with repentant faith. 

Share your faith, Christian. Tell other people why you maintain hope, in the midst of a world filled with chaos, confusion and tragedy. 

Bob