Miscellaneous Instructions

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Christ's Example Continues

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The first six verses of chapter 4 continues with Peter's admonition for us to follow the example set by Christ. In these verses the example is that of suffering. Peter that the time would come when these people would be persecuted. At that time, Peter says there will be two kinds of people living. One, those who will be persecuted, and two, those who will be living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing and lawless idolatry.

As a note for us today, Peter says you belong to one or the other of these groups. We like to think otherwise. Certainly there must be something in the middle and of course there is, its the attitude and life style of the "Church at Laodicea", being neither hot nor cold. Les we forget, God said to this church, "Because you are neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth." To the "cold" and lost, God constantly strives. To the "hot" and obedient, God blesses. But there does not appear to be a place for the "lukewarm" in this world.

Commandments in Sufferings

"The end of all things is at hand." What was Peter saying to these Jews? Most believe that he was speaking of all that the Jewish people had held dear to them for 2000 years. Their whole life centered on them being God's chosen people. Their feasts, their sacrifices and their attempts at worship, however meaningless, had become a very important part of their lives. With the coming of Christ, all this passed away. Peter may very well have fore seen the destruction of Jerusalem which occurred about 5 years after he wrote this letter. He may also have anticipated, like Paul, the Second Coming of Christ.

Whatever Peter was referring to, he knew that they would suffer a great loss and to support them, he gives several suggestions.

1. "Keep sane and sober for your prayers." By this he means let your mood and temperament be sober and well grounded in the Lord. Observe strict laws of temperance in all things. This creates an atmosphere that is conducive to prayer.
2. "Hold, unfailing, your love for one another." Paul says in I Cor. 13, "Love is greater than faith or hope." Peter says here, "Above all, Christians ought to love one another." That means that we should be concerned about their welfare, about their spiritual needs and about their concerns. This kind of love and concern will cover a multitude of sins.
3. "Practice hospitality un-grudgingly toward one another." This had to do with opening up their homes to strangers, as well as friends, in time of need. Persecution would bring great hardship on many of these Christian Jews. So they would need to rely a great deal on the hospitality of others.
4. "Use your spiritual gift for the good of one anther." Whatever God given ability that they had was to be used for the good of others. Two specific gifts are mentioned. Teaching and preaching, in private or in public, do it as the Word of God directs. The rules are simple: Speak seriously, reverently, solemnly, truthfully and faithfully. The gift of service is mentioned, service as with a Deacon or Elder. Peter says, "Whoever renders service, do so by the strength which God supplies, not by your own strength." But whatever gift you may have, be good stewards of God's varied Grace. Why? That God might be glorified through Jesus Christ. Perhaps this is where we, who minister, fail the most.

Then in verse 12, Peter tells them not to be surprised at the intensity of the persecution that was to come. "This, Peter says, is done to prove you." Their accusers had sharp tongues and false accusations against them but this would test their strength, patience and trust in the Lord. It will seem strange at first because many of your accusers will be those who were your best friends before. But Peter says, "Rejoice in this, because you are blessed." The same word is used here as is used in the Beatitudes and can be translated either blessed or happy. Because they had the Spirit of God in them to comfort and fortify them, they would be happy. They would not have to suffer as one who was guilty of some great sin, no, they would be innocent of the charges placed against them so they need not be ashamed. "The time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God."

The Jews were familiar with the judgment of God. God had brought great calamities upon them in the past for their disobedience. The whole nation was often persecuted for the sins of a few. Peter believed that such a time had arrived for them. Why was this so? Does this not seem unfair? No, because for God's people, this will soon be over. In all cases, their persecution was short compared to that of the wicked. Peter says in comparison, "If it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey God?" If the righteous are scarcely saved, where will the unrighteous appear?

Matthew Henry says, "Let the absolute necessity of salvation balance the difficulty of it." "Be faithful unto death and God will give you the crown of life." And where will the ungodly be? "Unquestionably, in a state of damnation." The wicked must certainly perish.

The chapter ends with the statement that establishes that suffering can be according to God's will. As humans, we tend to be more concerned about our bodies than about our souls. Peter says we should accept any suffering in life, do what is right and trust our souls to a faithful Creator. We cannot be sure that our bodies will always remain in good health, nor can we be sure that we will never suffer from anything. But we can rest in the assurance, that we have in Christ, that our souls will rest in eternal peace.

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