The historical indications are that these two books of the Bible were written when the Apostle Peter was in Rome. Peter was writing to the Church, both Jew and Gentile converts that had been scattered through Asia through persecution. Paul was writing to those that were exiled in what today is known as Northwest Turkey.
Both letters are written in a very warm, loving and caring way – a Pastor taking care of his congregation.
Believing the Bible and putting it into practice – allowing it to change us.
1 Peter chapter 4 - ESV (the verses from 1 Peter 4 are in light italics, the explanation of the verse/s follows in light, straight text with additional scriptures from other Bible books in bold italics)
Living for the will of God
1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.
In verses 1 and 2 above Peter tells us that because Jesus suffered and died for us, we should be like-minded and have the same way of thinking that He did, not living for ourselves but living for the will of God to be done in and through us. Let us ‘arm’ ourselves with Christ’s way of thinking!
Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
This way of thinking involves us dying to our flesh (our sinful desires), living in the Spirit, taking on the attitude of a servant to all and thus living to do the will of God only, just as Jesus did!
We have the Lord’s perfect example of this in Matthew 26:39 which is repeated in Mark 14:36 and Luke 22:42 when in the Garden of Gethsemane our Lord asks Father God if it is possible for him not to have to die for mankind! The Apostle John also speaks of Jesus doing the will of the Father in John 6:38.
Matthew 26:39 (NLT)
He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Jesus the man, struggling with the flesh and overcoming by the power of the Holy Spirit – in Christ we have the victory!
John 6:38 (NLT)
For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.
Jesus, explaining why He came down to earth from heaven!
Looking at 1 Peter 4:1 in more depth we see that Peter tells us to “arm yourselves with the same way of thinking” as Christ. The key word in this phrase is ‘arm’. Here the Greek word for ‘arm’ is ‘hoplizó’ (hop-lid-zo – Strong’s 3695) and its full meaning besides to ‘arm’ is: to make ready or to equip oneself in a military way and be ready for battle.
Now we read that Jesus armed Himself for battle in His way of thinking, but what is the battle we need to be ready for?
It is of course, as Peter goes on to tell us in verse 2, the battle we have with our flesh, our human passions, our sinful nature! The battle of the mind where the devil’s voice is heard the loudest!
“arm yourselves with the same way of ……………..thinking……as Christ!”
Jesus was human in every way so that He could identify with us in every way, even in our struggles and battles!
Hebrews 2:17-18 (NIV)
17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2021/01/satan-wants-your-mind.html
When we become born again, not only do we receive eternal life in Christ Jesus, but we also become His soldiers – the army of God with Jesus as our captain!
2 Timothy 2:3 (ESV)
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
Our battle is a spiritual battle, and we must clothe ourselves appropriately and arm ourselves with the correct spiritual weapons: prayer, the name of Jesus, humility, life in the Spirit, the authority given to us by Christ, cultivate an ever repentant and forgiving heart, be slow to anger and swift to bless, put on the full armour of God, be obedient to the Word and most importantly DO EVERYTHING IN LOVE!
"BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND THE STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT"
Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
To find out more about a Christian’s weapons of war, please read my blog published in November 2020, “Spiritual Warfare: What are a Christians weapons of war?”
https://rayskilton.blogspot.com/2020/11/spiritual-warfare-part-4-what-are.html
3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
In verse 3 Peter tells us that once we are born-again our past lives are over, and we are no longer to live as the Gentiles do. For us today this means that we are no longer to live in the desires of the flesh as the unsaved do, but we are to live in the Spirit as Christ did. We are to resist the temptations of the flesh, the pull of the world, for in Christ Jesus we are new creations!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
And when we don’t conform to the pattern of the world, Peter warns as that we will be much maligned – they (unbelievers) will criticise and abuse us and make fun of us!
Submit to God resist the devil and he will flee!
James 4:7 (NIV)
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Peter goes on to say in verse 5 that we are to ignore this maligning as the maligners will have to give an account to God for their lives and unlike the saved who were once like them, we will have an advocate who will speak for us on judgement day – our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus who paid the price for our sins. And because of this we are able to stand before God guiltless and forgiven!
1 John 1:2-3 (AMP)
My little children (believers, dear ones), I am writing you these things so that you will not sin and violate God’s law. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate [who will intercede for us] with the Father: Jesus Christ the righteous [the upright, the just One, who conforms to the Father’s will in every way—purpose, thought, and action]. 2 And He [that same Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins [the atoning sacrifice that holds back the wrath of God that would otherwise be directed at us because of our sinful nature—our worldliness, our lifestyle]; and not for ours alone, but also for [the sins of all believers throughout] the whole world.
The end of all things is near!
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
In verses 7-11 Peter tells us the end times are close at hand and so we must stay calm, clear headed and focused on the things of God so that our prayers will be according to His will.
We must love each other sincerely and be quick to forgive others. He also reminds us to use the gifts that God has given us for the benefit of the body of Christ so that everything we do, will glorify God through Jesus!
Eagerly desire the Spiritual gifts and use them for the benefit of the Church, to build up and edify each other in order to bring glory to Jesus.
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
In verses 12 – 19 above Peter once again reverts to what seems to be one of his favourite topics, and rightly so, the Christian walk and its trials and tribulations. We are told not to be surprised when trials come to test us – it is not a strange or rare thing to the Christian walk, it is normal. He tells us to rejoice in the fact that we share in Christ’s sufferings!
James, the younger brother of Jesus, puts it this way:
Our trials and temptations, the testing ground of our faith, produces endurance and leads us on the path to spiritual maturity! Endurance and good works in Christ Jesus, produces the perfect result in our faith so that we will lack for nothing! Eternal life in Christ Jesus! Amen!
Write these words of Jesus indelibly on your hearts and let them always be with you. In Christ alone we wear the victor’s crown and have His perfect peace! Jesus is the prince of peace; He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. In Him we live and move and have our being and when God is for us no one and nothing can be against us – the Bible declares this so!
Peter continues in telling us from verse 14 that if we suffer for Christ’s sake we are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon us! He assures as that we will not suffer as those that are evil do, as we receive the fulness of God’s love in eternal life in Christ Jesus whose name we glorify when we suffer for him!
In verse 17 Peter tells us that God’s judgement starts with the Church and if it starts with us then how much worse will it be for those that do not know Jesus! The true Church receives eternal life in Heaven – unbelievers receive eternal death (separation from God) in Hell!
And finally, in verse 19, Peter reminds us to entrust our lives to God while doing good even as we endure suffering for His name and in accordance with His will!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that by your Holy Spirit, you would strengthen me to endure life’s sufferings and to keep my eyes on you for you are the author and perfecter of my faith. Help me keep my eyes on Jesus as I go through the trials and tribulations of life and help me to do the good things that you have predestined me to do, that I may bring glory to your name. Heavenly Father, I entrust my life to you! Lord, let your will be done, not mine! Amen.
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!
Eagerly desire the Spiritual gifts and use them for the benefit of the Church, to build up and edify each other in order to bring glory to Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:31 (AMP)
But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal].
And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
In verses 12 – 19 above Peter once again reverts to what seems to be one of his favourite topics, and rightly so, the Christian walk and its trials and tribulations. We are told not to be surprised when trials come to test us – it is not a strange or rare thing to the Christian walk, it is normal. He tells us to rejoice in the fact that we share in Christ’s sufferings!
James, the younger brother of Jesus, puts it this way:
James 1:2-4 (AMP)
2 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.
Our trials and temptations, the testing ground of our faith, produces endurance and leads us on the path to spiritual maturity! Endurance and good works in Christ Jesus, produces the perfect result in our faith so that we will lack for nothing! Eternal life in Christ Jesus! Amen!
Write these words of Jesus indelibly on your hearts and let them always be with you. In Christ alone we wear the victor’s crown and have His perfect peace! Jesus is the prince of peace; He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. In Him we live and move and have our being and when God is for us no one and nothing can be against us – the Bible declares this so!
John 16:33 (AMP)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]
In verse 17 Peter tells us that God’s judgement starts with the Church and if it starts with us then how much worse will it be for those that do not know Jesus! The true Church receives eternal life in Heaven – unbelievers receive eternal death (separation from God) in Hell!
Matthew 25:46 (AMP)
Then these [unbelieving people] will go away into eternal (unending) punishment, but those who are righteous and in right standing with God [will go, by His remarkable grace] into eternal (unending) life.”
And finally, in verse 19, Peter reminds us to entrust our lives to God while doing good even as we endure suffering for His name and in accordance with His will!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that by your Holy Spirit, you would strengthen me to endure life’s sufferings and to keep my eyes on you for you are the author and perfecter of my faith. Help me keep my eyes on Jesus as I go through the trials and tribulations of life and help me to do the good things that you have predestined me to do, that I may bring glory to your name. Heavenly Father, I entrust my life to you! Lord, let your will be done, not mine! Amen.
To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!
Jesus the Name above all names!
Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!
Thank you, Ray. We certainly need to be on our guard, as we so easily forget that we are soldiers in a battle zone, and instead act like tourists awaiting our cruise out of here. How encouraging to be reminded that the Spirit of God rests on all who are insulted for His name. Of course to invite insult, we must first declare our allegiance to our Captain. Hail King Jesus!
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