Bible Study 1Peter Chapter 4 End Times Living & Suffering for Christ

Suffering with a Purpose - For God's Will 1 Pet 4:1-2
Christ set the example for us to follow. Christian life is not prosperity centric but Christ centric. Yes, it is God's will to prosper everyone. But it is also God's will that we suffer for Christ. People who has the prosperity mindset judge spiritual growth based on wealth. Spiritual Maturity=Wealth or Position. If that is correct, then Paul must be the most depraved of all Christians since he suffered so much --- beatings, shipwrecks, stoning, etc.  The criterion should be the will of God.

We are not to suffer from our own sins and mistakes. That brings shame and not glory to God. We are to suffer, willingly, for accomplishing God's will in our lives. We are to suffer for righteousness. Mat 5:10-11.

Here is a sure way to fix sin  "for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin". But be very clear that in the context it is about suffering for the purpose of God and is not about abstaining from foods or lusts. It is about saying yes to God and automatically turning away from sin. Trying to say no to sin alone is actually focusing on sin and will be trapped in sin!

This verse remind me of Gal 2:20 ... The Live I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in Christ....

Breaking Away from Bad Relationships 3-6
Since we are going after God, we will naturally break away from our past bad relationships. They will be surprised at first and then malign us later since we break away from them. But we trust God to make the right judgment from us and we don't take 'revenge' by our own hands. v6 is about preaching the gospel to those now dead but were living then. See last post for detailed explanation.

Living in the End Times v7-11

It is actually no different from living the right kind of Christian life. We are to be sober-minded, self-controlled, loving one another, show hospitality, using our gifts to serve, be good steward of God's grace,  serve by the strength of God. All with the final purpose of bringing glory to God.

Facing Trials & Suffering for Christ v12-16
This is exposition continuing from v1-2.

1. Not surprised. We are expecting it. There is nothing wrong with us. Don't condemn ourselves.
2. Rejoice only if we are suffering for Christ or Righteousness. Nothing to boast if we are suffering for our evil doing. 
3. Entrust the whole process to God as Christ did.
4. Judgment begins first with God's household. It is for our purification.
5. It will be much worse those outside later. So, don't take revengeful actions against our persecutors. Do point 3.

Questions for Reflection and Applications

1. What are 2 main types of persecution? 
2. How should we suffer for Christ?
3. How should we live in the end times? 
4. Are we living as what we say in Q3? What specific actions shall we be taking?

For the discussion on this chapter, see Bible Study 1Peter Chapter 4 Discussion.