Today’s passage: 1 Peter 4:1-6
Helpful thoughts:
- Again, Christ is our example and precedent for persevering through suffering.
- Even if we were to suffer in the flesh as Christ did (Unto death), it would result in complete freedom from sin.
- The will of God in this passage is referring to God’s revealed will in Scripture. We already know how He intends for us to live because He has given us His sufficient Scripture.
- The Bible really does talk about when people make fun of us because we don’t participate in their parties.
- “…preached, even to those who are dead.” is referring to those who had heard the Gospel, believed and perished before Peter’s audience had received this letter. They were again being reminded that upon death, life continues right on with the Lord.
Questions to consider:
- What different levels of suffering are mentioned in this passage? What seems the least worrisome? Which seems the most severe?
- Why is it hard to sympathize with the original audience of this epistle? How would your priorities and thoughts concerning others be affected if this letter had been sent to you originally and you personally knew people who had been martyred?
- How does our view of God, eternity and judgment help us to overcome whatever level of persecution that may come our way?