INTRODUCTION
A real temptation for Christians is to think that in order to overcome temptation or to refute some atheist that what they need is more information. Of course, we are to be diligent students of the Word. But remember what Peter said earlier in his letter about being like newborn babies desiring milk. In the face of both temptation and persecution, your greatest weapon is to return to the simplicity of the Gospel.
THE TEXT
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 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. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. […] 1Peter 4:1ff
SUMMARY OF THE TEXT
The saints are to live in the reality that by their baptism, they are intimately joined to all of Christ’s redeeming work, particularly his ascension (2:18-22). This is what arms the saint in their battle with the flesh (v1). Baptism isn’t a way to “tap out” of this earthly sojourn; but it does equip you to live out your days according to the will of God and not the lusts of men (v2). These saints had once walked according to the will of the Gentiles (strikingly Peter includes himself); this way of life is marked by by “lust off the leash” (v3). Now, however, the saints have become strange to their old friends, and all sorts of slanderous things are laid to their charge (v4). Though Christians are maligned by evil men, Peter reminds them that these men will one day stand before the ascended Christ to give an account of themselves (v5). These glad tidings (glad for the righteous, at least), have been heralded even to the dead (v6, 2:19), so that no man may claim an exception from Christ’s judgement on the quick and the dead.
The end of the old world is upon these Christians. Peter exhorts them how to behave themselves in light of the looming judgement which was coming. The immediate application of these words is to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70. However, by extension we may apply this to all saints since then as we await the final judgement. How should saints behave in the shadows of looming judgement? Don’t be drunk. Pray like a midnight sentinel. Be fervent in love for each other, quick to cover each others sins in love (vv7-8, Pro. 10:12). Make room in your home for displaced Christians, without complaining (v9). God has poured out innumerable gifts upon His people and they are to use those gifts in service to each other and for the glory of God through Jesus Christ (vv10-11).
A fiery trial is coming, and so the saints shouldn’t be caught flatfooted by this trial, which is intended to prove them (v12). Instead, when the trial comes, they are to rejoice. Why? Because they are so joined with Christ that like His sufferings led to his glory, their sufferings will result in their receiving exceeding joy (v13). Being reproached for the name of Christ is not cause for distress, it is cause for celebration; for the spirit of glory rests on Christ’s people (v14, Cf. Is. 11:2). Evil men rejected the Living Stone, and now, as their judgement draws nigh, they heap up their faults by persecuting the followers of the Living Stone (v14b). Peter reaffirms the Christian’s duty to observe the Law of Moses regarding things like murder, theft, false witness, and adultery (v15). They should not be ashamed if they suffer due to being enlisted in the army of Christ, but should glorify God that this is evidence of their close union with Christ (v16). Judgement is coming. Christ has marked those who are His, so those who have not obeyed the Gospel of God should tremble (vv17-18). As the saints pass through the fiery judgement, they must say with Christ, “Into thine hand I commit my spirit” (v19, Cf. Ps. 31:5).
STICKS & STONES
A feature of the persecution of the righteous is the potency of slanderous names and mockery. Peter has called to mind the wicked men of Noah’s day, and how they troubled him as he patiently built the ark and preached righteousness. Ahab called Elijah the troubler of Israel. 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 summarizes how the wicked regularly reproached the righteous. However the name Christian arose, it soon became a name that bore a death sentence. Christians were accused of all manner of vile practices. Cannibals. Atheists. Sorcerers. Inbreeds. Traitors. Throughout Church history, wicked men have labelled faithful Christians with insulting and slanderous labels. John Wycliffe’s followers, because they devoted themselves to prayer, were ridiculed as Lollards (probably from the Dutch for mumblers). Evangelical. Puritan. Jesus Freaks. Kirkers. Such name-calling has a strong potency. It can make people flinch and lean away from what they ought to be loyal to.
On the other side, we are warned to not take the accusations of our enemies as a license to lawlessness. Just because they call you a horse thief doesn’t mean you should saddle up. This can be seen in recent years as the radical left amped up their accusations towards Christians of being Nazis, racists, and White Supremacists. Sadly, like a slow drip wears down rock, many Christians were worn down and have gradually allowed those once slanderous titles to actually be true about them. This is not an insignificant or uncommon temptation to Christians under pressure. Satan tempts us by starving us through persecution, and then seducing us through sweet poison.
Rather, we are instructed here to arm ourselves. This passage is plain with what our weaponry is: the same mind as Christ had. By faith in Christ, by baptism, you bear His name because you are joined with Him. Think of all the aspersions cast upon Him. What was Christ’s mindset in facing both the slander and the sufferings? Christ knew that God’s power is perfected in weakness. The Stone must be rejected by the builders, before it became the cornerstone of the Lord’s temple. Glory comes through suffering. A crown awaited Him on the far side of the cross. Peter wants you to arm yourself with the knowledge that your baptism unites you to Christ. To endeavor to skirt suffering through compromise or cowardice or through retaliation is to live contrary to your baptism. Remember, Peter is equipping you to endure your trials through faith, not escape your trials.
DEFIANT REJOICING
The lusts of the flesh really do entice us with joy. In fact, you’ll notice that part of the pressure put upon these Christians is that they had left the lifestyle of carnal indulgence, and this brought about the slander. Sinners never want to be alone in their sin. Come with us. Share in our guilt. Wicked men think that somehow if everyone does some sinful thing that it waters down the guilt. No. It does’t work that way. That just shows that beyond simply having poor impulse control, you also have all the leadership qualities of a singular wildebeest running with the stampeding herd.
But what we are presented with here is a summons to defiant rejoicing. Faced with temptations to leave righteousness and go back to the life of lust, Peter admonishes you to arm yourself with your baptism, your union with Christ. Faced with fiery persecutions, Peter tells you to think about how you are now wonderfully joined with Jesus. All of Jesus.
Peter frames this is in superlative terms. Exceeding joy. The Spirit of Glory resting upon you. Glory. Happiness. This is because the glad tidings of Christ plants you in the deep soil of His everlasting joy in His own sufferings and glory. Your sin is entirely forgiven. Your persecutors will soon face the wrath of the Lamb. Your prayers will soon give way to eternal praise. Your pain will melt into pleasures evermore.