1 Peter 4:1-19. Arm with the mind of Jesus; those suffered in flesh have ceased from sinning.

In the end of our previous study, we happened to analyze that Jesus was crucified and was resurrected; and so, if I am crucified with Jesus, his seed, that is, the nucleolus of Spirit God Jesus Christ, will come inside me; and so, I will live here with him as well as I will live with him in heaven. But to be crucified with him must not be a cliché; since every cliché is of the devil and they are lies. But to be crucified is, to go through much suffering to break the addiction of our lust, greed, and pride until the death of our flesh. It is from Galatians 2:20. It says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh is the life of Christ, since he gave himself for me." So, I am on the outside, and Jesus Christ is within me. When it is done, it is not death, but it is victory and the glory of heaven. Now let us see "1 Peter 4:1. 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;" This also seems to be a continuation of Galatians 2:20. We all must have the same mind as Jesus Christ, to suffer in the flesh to cease from sin, but not say it as a cliché, or pretend as it has happened. If so, Jesus Christ will abide in you, and so, you will cease from sins. Cliché Christians will continue in sins since they are under the devil. "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." Because Jesus Christ is in you for real, you will live in the will of God. The will of God is that you live a holy life and inherit the kingdom of God in heaven.

"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:" The verse begins saying 'for the time past'. It appears that these Jews were living with the Gentiles for a long time. But they were driven from their own town by persecution, just arrived here and begin to live with them. So, they are new here. But the phrase 'the will of the Gentiles' refers to sin lifestyle of the Gentiles in general. Jews are God's people and supposed to live a holy life, which is the will of God. But they never lived holy either, or they were also living according to the will of the Gentiles, which is living in sin. Now, these Jews decide to follow Jesus Christ, were persecuted, and came to this place to live. Apostle Peter just cautions them saying, not to even live like the Gentiles here. Your previous sin life is enough; put a full stop to it and live by the will of God. He says the same thing in 1 Peter 1: also. "14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Acts 17:30 says, ... the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." So, through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the flesh, so that the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ may live in us. The names of the common sins mentioned here are, "lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries." Please notice that even Jews were involved in idolatries in their life. "4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:" Here Peter is talking about excess of riots. In previous lesson, Peter told them to obey civil authorities and the laws, and to have peace. But Gentiles may have disagreement with their own governments and may do riots or rebel against them. Peter advises the Jews not to join such groups. But if they do not join, the Gentiles may think that the Jews are strange and speak evil of them. Even then, it is better to obey God than to follow rebellious people.

"5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead." It simply says that that God is ready to judge them even now, that is, God may punish them then and there for their wrongdoing. "6 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." Here the people referred may be Jews and Gentiles. The gospel was preached to Abraham by God, the Spirit of Jesus Christ told the gospel to old testament Saints, the commandments of Jesus Christ are written in the hearts of non-Christians, and so on. It is true that Jesus told his disciples to preach the gospel, and it is also true that the gospel is knowingly began to be preached in the new testament by the followers of Jesus Christ. But, in the strict sense, God has many ways that he spread the gospel, by himself without depending on people. But they are not revealed in the scriptures openly. But if we are diligent, then we can see it. God still has mysteries, and whatever is revealed is to us, the rest belongs to him; it is in Deuteronomy 29:29. If you like to study this in detail, let me give a link here for you: Link is "Common World." "7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." At hand means that it is happening now; but if not now, it will be soon. Take the example of abide in Christ; it is Jesus Christ lives in me now; his abiding will continue to eternity to the inheritance in the kingdom of heaven. Again, it says, since the time is at hand, be "sober, and watch unto prayer." So, we must be sound minded, here sober is sound minded, and we must be praying. At present, there are so many prayer ministries. It is good business, praying for our worldly needs, physical healing, miracles, revivals, for more prayer towers, collect offerings, etc; but nothing about "end of all things at hand." They are not sober, having sound mind. "Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." It is for the coming of Jesus Christ, it may be now, and to pray for this. The context is the first second coming and the further ministry of God, but it is not the final coming of Jesus Christ, since there will be no ministry after that. ["34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."] There will be a ministry after his first second coming. I have a link explaining the first second coming of Jesus Christ. So, if you are interested to study, let me give the link. "First second coming."

"8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." Please do not forget this ever; charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Charity is a very important word in the bible. Charity will take away, cover, hide, or remove multitude of sins, and by doing that it saves souls. It has a very popular meaning as love or help with money. Even though they are popular, they are not Bible Charity. Usually, we learn the meaning of charity from the charitable organizations; but they are traps to plunder, to plunder big money. Here we see, fervent charity! It is intense desire to save souls. Charity is greater than so many things, and so, it stays above all things, and it is fervent charity. James 5:20 also says the same thing. "20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." So, our work of salvation to save souls from hell fire and lead them to heaven by covering multitude of sins is our charity in verse 8. Charity is the love to save Souls from hell. "9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging." It is easy to understand. "10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." If we know anything about God and his ways, there are two simple words we will face. We all have flesh, and we may also have Spirit, if we are born again. Many people serve churches, but not God. The vast majority of the servants in churches prepare themselves by education, by doing ceremonies and rituals, etc. I call them as worldly churches. God has nothing to do with them; but God does it all by his Spirit. That is the Spirit church. God the Holy Ghost conducts the affairs of the Spirit church. The Holy Ghost baptizes his servants, which is the ordination to witness for God, gives them gifts, and sends them with power to do the work of God. "Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness." So, God gives manifold grace in different kinds of gifts, with many levels of power, grace upon grace, and all are of the Spirit and of the power of God. This is how God conducts his ministry. But God has nothing to do with the bible school education, theology study, and any such programs. They are all the efforts of people, or we may say that they are of the flesh, and the devil also has an important part with them in their program. "11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Now a days, in churches, pastors and preachers preach theology, bible history, philosophy, politics, and so many other interesting topics. But they must not preach anything other than the oracles of God.

"12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:" Yes! We all know that God is almighty; he is most powerful than all powers; he is the most powerful Spirit; he has access to all things; and nothing can be hidden from him. We are his servants or even his children. So, we must be powerful because of our status, and everybody must fear us. But on the contrary, everybody persecutes us, and we are on the run. Why is it? Is it not strange? Apostle Peter says, do not think that it is strange. Why? If we know the way of God, we will know that his way is this way, and then it is not strange. God the creator, gives the world to the devil to rule, and he allows Satan to be seated in all churches to receive the worship as he is God, and bible says it openly. God the Father required Jesus to suffer the death of the cross and then to be glorified, he wants us to follow Jesus, to be persecuted and then to be glorified, and this is the way of God. So, these fiery trials are not strange. Probably we do not go to the fiery trials, still it is true. "1 Thessalonians 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto." Even though it appears strange, we are appointed by God just to go through this; and so, it is not strange. The way of the Lord is glory through persecutions and sufferings. "13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." Jesus told his disciples to pick up his cross and to follow him. Jesus Christ says in "Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." So, God will seat us also in the very throne of Jesus Christ, if and when we overcome the world, flesh, and the devil. "14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." It is the same as, if you are crucified with Christ; then Jesus Christ will live inside you. If you are reproached with Christ, the spirit of glory will rest upon you. But those who are boasting about their cliché faith, will not face the sufferings, but will find diplomatic ways to be friendly with the devil, and will end up with the devil in hell.

"15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters." Apostles were even locked up in jail, as criminals. Apostle Paul says in "2 Timothy 2:9, Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound." So, he was even happy about his suffering in prison. "16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." They all glorified God even in prison. "Acts 5:40 ... when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." They counted worthy to suffer shame.