1 Peter 4

Change Your Lives

1 Since Christ suffered while he was in his body, strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking Christ had. The person who has suffered in the body is finished with sin.2 Strengthen yourselves so that you will live here on earth doing what God wants, not the evil things people want.3 In the past you wasted too much time doing what nonbelievers enjoy. You were guilty of sexual sins, evil desires, drunkenness, wild and drunken parties, and hateful idol worship.4 Nonbelievers think it is strange that you do not do the many wild and wasteful things they do, so they insult you.5 But they will have to explain this to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6 For this reason the Good News was preached to those who are now dead. Even though they were judged like all people, the Good News was preached to them so they could live in the spirit as God lives.

Use God’s Gifts Wisely

7 The time is near when all things will end. So think clearly and control yourselves so you will be able to pray.8 Most importantly, love each other deeply, because love will cause people to forgive each other for many sins.9 Open your homes to each other, without complaining.10 Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace.

11 Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

12 My friends, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you.13 But be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory.14 When people insult you because you follow Christ, you are blessed, because the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is with you.15 Do not suffer for murder, theft, or any other crime, nor because you trouble other people.16 But if you suffer because you are a Christian, do not be ashamed. Praise God because you wear that name.

17 It is time for judgment to begin with God’s family. And if that judging begins with us, what will happen to those people who do not obey the Good News of God?
18 “If it is very hard for a good person to be saved, the wicked person and the sinner will surely be lost!” 19 So those who suffer as God wants should trust their souls to the faithful Creator as they continue to do what is right.

1 Peter 4

1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;2 that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.3 For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:4 wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:5 who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.6 For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring:10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; is any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:13 but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.14 If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters:16 but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.17 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?18 And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.