1 Peter 4:1-6  Revised Standard Version

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same thought, 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 by human passions but by the will of God. 3 Let the time that is past suffice for doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not now join them in the same wild profligacy, and they abuse 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 the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God.

What is your first Impression?

My first take away was replacing living by the flesh with living by the will of God. My flesh has desires, and the answer has to be to submit them to God.

What possibilities do you see in “suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin”?

I liken this to a concept of if it starts hurting, I stop doing it. Raising my arm over my shoulder hurts, so I stop doing it. I give up everything that has to do with my arm over my shoulder, but I stop the pain. Spiritually, I can do the same thing.

What two motives for living are we presented with in verse 2?

Live in the flesh or live by the will of God. Either or. There is no alternative.

“the time that is past suffice” How can you rephrase this to mean more to you?

As we all have experienced, fulfilling the desires of the flesh leads to no satisfaction. It only leads to needing more to scratch the itch, but the itch remains.

The list of issues. Are these different things, identical things, are these things you want to do individually, together, or is there some wordplay involved in what you want?

“licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry” My thought is that everything in the list flows from the last: lawless idolatry. We want to do what we want to do when we want to do it and we do not want to give up control or admit we are wrong to want these things. God did not create us as mindless followers, but to be following willfully.

“They are surprised” – Do you not want to surprise them?

My choices often mark me as different. I want no one to be surprised that I do not do as others do. But I do want to behave in such a way as they are aware I am different so that I may have impact. Even at the card show last week where I did not stand out as “an old white Astros fan”, I did want to be seen as someone who was not making stupid money decisions.

“they abuse you;” – Do you no want to be abused?

Negative connotations or song lyrics aside, we must put aside our desires to get along and follow God’s desire for us to draw others near Him by our love.

“give account” – Do you want them to go scott free?

Scott is a name within our group, and I wondered if I threw that in because of it. We all absolutely want to not be punished for what we have done. I have missed the mark in many ways and their nature does not make me better than a murderer just because I have not done that particular thing. The fact is Christ paid for my sins. I owe Him all for that.

As in the last lesson, the dead are discussed. The gospel was preached to the dead. What is the definition of dead in this phrase?

I do not know. I want everyone to be saved as God wants that and I want to be like Him. I am pained by the fact that some will reject Him and not be saved. I want to believe that even the dead have a chance to accept Christ. I do not think I can understand this phrase with out it being revealed by the Holy Spirit, but I would like that.

“Judged in the flesh like men” – Is there another outcome?

Saved by Christ.

“live in the spirit like God” Part one: how can the dead live?

I like to equate this with being alive in spirit since Christ has overcome death and conquered sin, but this is only my guess.

“Like God” – Part Two: how can one be like God?

Made in His image, restored to relationship by Christ, and living with Him eternally. It is not the same as being like God, but it is the closest I can get.