Week 3 Day 4

January 26, 2023 | Be On Mission

Make Changes to Live & Suffer for Christ

Scripture: 1 Peter 4 (NIV)

¹ Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. ² As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵ But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Devotional

In this chapter Peter returns to the topic of suffering. While we don’t know the exact year that he wrote 1 Peter, it was most certainly during the Nero’s reign as Roman Emperor. Nero came to power at age seventeen through murderous subterfuge orchestrated by his mother. Later, when she became a threat to his power, he had his mother put to death. It was a brutal regime. Peter probably wrote this epistle from Nero’s headquarters in Rome, referred to as “Babylon” in 1 Peter 5:13.

During this period, persecution of Christians was on the rise. Some were wrapped in animal skins and thrown to ravenous dogs. Some were used as fodder for the Roman appetite for brutal games. Some were set on fire as human torches to light the way when darkness fell. During his reign, Nero falsely blamed Christians for Rome burning. Persecution only intensified.

Imagine how important this letter of 1 Peter became to the persecuted Christians in the ensuing decades and centuries, when at various times Christians were arrested, believers were executed, followers of Jesus were blamed for natural disasters, clergy were martyred, adherents to the faith were tortured, churches were destroyed, Scriptures were burned, and believers were stripped of their civil rights. This epistle must have provided great comfort throughout that 250 year period.

Take a moment to read 1 Peter 4 again, visualization yourself as a follower of Christ during that period of persecution. What verses would give you the most comfort? Which ones would give you courage? How can you apply that to your life today?

Poem

Taste Buds Edited
1 Peter 4: 1-2

With every flower and fauna
With every fruit and herb
With every gourd and vegetable
The LORD God gave a word
“It’s all there for the taking
It’s all to be enjoyed
There’s just one tree abandon
There’s just one taste avoid.”

But with the eye we see it
But with the ear we hear
But with the voice it’s spoken
Temptation does appear
“If all there for the taking
If all to be enjoyed
Why limit self exper’ment
Why anything avoid?”

So with our eyes wide open
So with rebellious heart
So salivating greatly
Our taste buds' edit start
“It’s all there for my taking
It’s all to be enjoyed
My diet, I’ll determine
God's will I'll now exploit”

Now God’s eyes see the chaos
Now God’s ears ear the cries
Now God’s heart knows the suff’ring
Our gluttony despise
“Let’s bring them back to whole food
Let’s start them out on milk
Let’s move them on to chewing
Let’s offer them true steak”

But if our taste buds edit
But if this is the goal
But if our diet needs a change
Then suff'ring be the road
“I’ll come to you in silence
I’ll kneel ‘fore you a slave
I’ll do the work of editing
Give what you truly crave”

And when our eyes are opened
And when our ears unstopped
And when we truly feast on Christ
Old cravings will be dropped
“LORD, meet me at the table
LORD, set the feast for me
LORD, edit now my taste buds
LORD, You, my diet be”

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