Lesson 5 for April 29, 2017 LIVING FOR GOD

Peter invites us to live lives that are at the height of Jesus’ life, in the context of the Judgment. Living in an exemplary way. 1 Peter 3:8-12. Living in suffering. 1 Peter 3:18-4:2. Living a new life. 1 Peter 4:3-6. Living in love. 1 Peter 4:7-11.

LIVING IN AN EXEMPLARY WAY 1 Peter 3:8-12 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9) Peter invited the members of the Church to be like-minded, like Paul told when comparing the Church with a body (1 Corinthians 12:12- 26). How can we be like-minded? Being compassionate. Loving each other. Treating others mercifully. Being friendly. Blessing one another, repaying good for evil. Peter quoted Psalm 34:12-16, encouraging us to live every day in an exemplary way. “…refrain your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it…”

LIVING IN SUFFERING 1 Peter 3:18-4:2 “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” (1 Peter 4:1) Jesus suffered “once for all time” (1P. 3:18 NLT) to forgive our sins, and He was resurrected to give us salvation (v. 21). Peter used the Flood as metaphor for baptism (1P. 3:19-20). For Christians, baptism is a picture of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. Since we took part in Christ’s suffering through baptism, we end our relationship with sin and begin to live for Christ (1 Peter 4:1; Romans 6:11).

LIVING A NEW LIFE 1 Peter 4:3-6 “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.” (1 Peter 4:3 NIV) God created sex and gave us sexuality as a blessing. Within marriage, sexuality is a picture of the union between God and His people (Jeremiah 3; Ezekiel 16; Hosea 1-3). Nevertheless, sin brought sexual deviations: “Debauchery”, “lust”, “orgies”, “detestable idolatry.” Those who have been baptized in Christ cannot ruin their lives with those vices anymore.

LIVING A NEW LIFE 1 Peter 4:3-6 “Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.” (1 Peter 4:4 NLT) When we begin our new lives in Christ, we quit sexual sins, drunkenness and binges. People we used to hang out with are surprised of the change in our lives and make fun of us. We must not be discouraged, since they will be held accountable in the day of Judgment (1P. 4:5). For Peter, those mockers are “dead” (see Ephesians 5:14). Therefore, we are preaching the Gospel to them with our new life, so they can also live “according to God in the spirit.” (1P. 4:6).

LIVING IN LOVE 1 Peter 4:7-11 “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’” (1 Peter 4:7-8) Being hospitable. Getting rid of gossip. Using our gifts to serve others. Speaking God’s words. Glorifying God in everything through Jesus Christ. Since Jesus’ coming is imminent, Peter encouraged us to live soberly and to be watchful in our prayers. We are called to have fervent love for one another, because “love will cover a multitude of sins.” (v. 8). When we sincerely love one another, we are always willing to let other’s sins pass by forgiving them. In verses 9 to 11, Peter gave us some advice on how to live in love.

“As the plan of redemption begins and ends with a gift, so it is to be carried forward. The same spirit of sacrifice which purchased salvation for us will dwell in the hearts of all who become partakers of the heavenly gift. Says the apostle Peter: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Said Jesus to His disciples as He sent them forth: “Freely ye have received, freely give.” In him who is fully in sympathy with Christ there can be nothing selfish or exclusive. He who drinks of the living water will find that it is “in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” The Spirit of Christ within him is like a spring welling up in the desert, flowing to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish, eager to drink of the water of life.” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, cp. 88, pg. 730)