Raised From Death Unto Life

Raised from Death unto Life

1 Peter 4: 1-6

Peter set the tone for the message he sought to convey as he introduced himself to the reader. He addressed them as strangers scattered throughout the Roman provinces. This served two basic principles – 1) Peter revealed to the believers that he was aware of their struggles. 2) It also served to remind them of their situation, being persecuted for their faith in Christ. This was not done to discourage them, but to remind them of their current reality. Peter did not intend to offer a troubling reminder without providing hope and help for their situation.

Throughout the letter, Peter has spoken candidly about the struggles they face and the Christian character they are to possess and portray in the midst of adversity. He continues that theme in our text today. While they faced much opposition, there was no need for despair. The world may have forsaken them, they may have lost much for the cause of Christ, but hope was not lost. Not only would the Lord abide faithful unto them in their current situation, their hope would extend beyond this life.

Our struggles are much different, and yet we all deal with seasons of adversity and discouragement. In the midst of our trials, we too need reminded of the faithfulness of our Lord and the blessed hope we have in Him beyond this life. As we discuss the realities of the text, I want to consider: Raised from Death unto Life.

I. The Believer’s Determination (1-2) – Peter knew if the church was to prosper, the believers would need a proper perspective, which would create a determined resolve to continue in the faith. Notice he spoke of:

A. Our Example (1a) – Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind. As he sought to challenge and encourage the church, Peter knew there was no greater example of faithfulness in the midst of trials and suffering than the Lord. He reminded the church of the suffering Christ endured on their behalf. His suffering was endured for believers. He willingly endured the mockery and rejection of men, the abuses of the cross, the weight of sin, and the judgment of God in order to secure our salvation. All of this was endured by an innocent Man, one who knew no sin, had committed no crimes, and was falsely accused and sentenced to death. Christ is the great example believers are to follow.

Peter then offered a specific challenge to the church – arm yourselves likewise with the same mind. No doubt, this got their attention. Believers are to follow the example Christ set before us, being willing to endure suffering and adversity for the faith. As we will also discover, just as Christ bore the cross to provide our redemption, we too are to take up our cross, and crucify the flesh in order to faithfully follow Christ. We must resist the temptation of the flesh, being clothed in the armor of God if we are to endure and enjoy spiritual victory.

B. The Expectation (1b) – for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. Those to whom Peter wrote were familiar with suffering. They endured much ridicule, mockery, and rejection for their faith in Christ. Many of them also endured physical and emotional abuse for their faith. Those who faced such suffering needed to be reminded of the purpose for their suffering. They were not accepted of men because they no longer embraced the lusts of the flesh and lived like the world. They were different, living separated lives that bore witness to their faith. Their denial of sinful lusts brought oppression from the world.

While this is difficult to accomplish living in a body of flesh, it is expected of all believers. When confronted with temptation to sin, we have two choices – we can willfully engage in sin, or we can arm ourselves with the mind of Christ in order to refrain from sin. Those who choose to refrain from sin and the lusts of the flesh will suffer because of their denial of that which the world seeks to promote. However, if we are to please the Lord, we must seek to cease from sin.

C. The Evidence (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 declared that faithfulness unto the Lord, ceasing from sin, (not living according to the lusts of the flesh,) but according to the will of God, will be evident within the believer’s life for all to see. These have weighed their options and made a critical choice – choosing to crucify the flesh and its lusts in order to live according to the will of God. Within a society known for sin and indulgence, these would certainly be noticed due to the different lifestyle they have chosen, one that honors God instead of indulging the flesh.