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The Bible Teaching Commentary on Genesis: The Book of Foundations
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1 Peter 4:1-2
Living For God (1 Peter 4:1-11)
Paul J. Bucknell
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1 Peter 4:1-2 teaches the first way we are to live godly lives: Determine to live godly lives like Christ, page 2 of 6 discussing 1 Peter 4:1-11 Living for God.
Casual Christians always become casualties.
1) Determining to live like Christ (4:1-2)
In 1 Peter 4:1-11 Peter highlights Christ's example by focusing on His determination, means and purpose of living a godly life. We can live godly lives but not casually. Here are three steps to live that godly life.
"Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2, NASB).
What is Peter's logic in verse 1 and 2? I have filled in the left side of a chart listing Jesus' special life qualities mentioned here in 1 Peter 4:1-2. Since Jesus has lived this way, how are we then to live?
Christ's Life |
Our Life |
| Jesus Christ suffered | Suffering should not keep us from zealously seeking God's purpose in our lives. Are we willing to suffer? |
| Christ had a purpose | Jesus had a purpose which encompassed the affliction He faced in life. What is our life's purpose? |
| Jesus lived a pure life from sin | Since Jesus is my Master and He kept himself from sin, I should keep myself pure for my remaining life. |
| Jesus lived for the will of God | Jesus had desires but put them aside when they were contrary to God's purpose. |
So how is suffering connected with purity? Some suggest that it simply means that when one dies for his faith, then he will no longer suffer the presence of sin. Jesus, for example, once He died, He no longer had to battle for purity. The person is no longer in the world. But this is an awkward exhortation for those living!
More than likely it refers to the way Jesus persevered through suffering, kept holy and had a great ministry. We also are to persevere through suffering with hopes of a pure life doing God's will. "Arm yourselves with the same purpose..."
When a person suffers, he makes certain key decisions about his life. Through the affliction, the emptiness of the world is more apparent, and one makes better choices being less deceived by the world. Purity is the result of persecution and because of this, the people are better poised to live out God's will. The word 'purpose': thought, principle, counsel, mind, resolve, ie. "the dying life voluntarily accepted finding expression in the meek and courageous pursuit of the spiritual life." (Online Bible).
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Continue on with 1 Peter 4:3-6, the second way to be godly, or view the study questions on 1 Peter 4:1-2.
Check out the BFF resource center!
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1 Peter 1:1-2 Bible Study Questions
1 Peter 1:3-12 Bible Study Questions
1 Peter 3:15-16 Evangelism | Bible study
1 Peter 4:1-11 Living for God | Bible study Questions
1 Peter 4:1-2 Living Commentary
1 Peter 4:3-6 Living Commentary
1 Peter 4:6 Interpretations
1 Peter 4:7-11 Living Commentary
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