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Dead to Sin and Alive unto suffering 1 Peter 4:1
Dead to Sin and Alive unto suffering 1 Peter 4:1
BC and AD: the ‘common’ misunderstanding would read this to be ‘before Christ’ and ‘after death’. While that is not the actual meaning, it seems to serve a rather useful distinction in the life of a disciple. There is the life lived ‘BC’ and the life to be lived ‘AD’. Peter illustrates this here in 1Peter 4:
“Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; (1 Peter 4:1-4).
One of the biggest changes is to be found in one’s attitude towards sinful behavior! Many disciples have discovered that when they begin to refuse to participate in that which they freely indulged in before they were converted, suddenly their old friends become their new enemies!
Paul and Jesus both warned that following Jesus and living a godly life would result in being persecuted by the worldly around us. "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12).
Thus the ‘AD’ part of our lives: we are “to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” Knowing this ahead of time, we are to PREPARE ourselves for such! Get ready, arm yourself.
Many disciples have had to ‘live down’ their BC lifestyle! “But, you USED to …”; and thus, “they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you” (1 Peter 4:4).
In this, we must be careful to NOT develop a ‘martyr complex’. We are NOT looking for persecution, we are not trying to suffer. Rather, we must strive to live godly in this present world! Come what may, I will follow Christ! I am done with the old life, I will now be a servant of righteousness!
Is your life an ‘AD’ type or still ‘BC’?
Hugh DeLong
