You must have the same attitude Christ did... The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore be earnest, thoughtful men of prayer. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love makes up for many of your faults. (1 Peter 4:1, 7-8, TLB)
Peter writes very emphatically on certain issues, repetitively; he regards the outworking of our faith through our relationships as essential teaching. Peter was one of the three on the Mount of Transfiguration, he was present at the crucifixion and was one of the two disciples who went to the empty tomb. Peter was the first to preach at Pentecost.
Peter opens chapter 3 speaking to women: ‘Wives, fit in with your husbands’ plans; for then if they refuse to listen when you talk to them about the Lord, they will be won by your respectful, pure behaviour. Your godly lives will speak to them better than any words.’ I must commend my wife at this point, she always fitted into my plans, supporting my Bible smuggling and evangelism, although this came at great-personal cost to her, especially when I was imprisoned. Zena never stopped me, she never hindered the ministry; in fact, as she was dying, she said to me, ‘David, we did this together.’ This is what Peter is saying through this opening verse, we must fit into each other plans. The Apostle Paul referred to it as living in harmony with each other: in music, harmony is generated when two different notes compliment each other. Peter then repeats this concept in verse 5, ‘That kind of deep beauty was seen in the saintly women of old, who trusted God and fitted in with their husbands’ plans.’
And now this word to all of you: You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God’s help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it.
If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Try to live in peace even if you must run after it to catch and hold it! For the Lord is watching his children, listening to their prayers; but the Lord’s face is hard against those who do evil. (1 Peter 3:8-12, TLB)
[Christ] died once for the sins of all us guilty sinners although he himself was innocent of any sin at any time, that he might bring us safely home to God. But though his body died, his spirit lived on, and it was in the spirit that he visited the spirits in prison and preached to them – spirits of those who, long before in the days of Noah, had refused to listen to God, though he waited patiently for them while Noah was building the ark. Yet only eight persons were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. (That, by the way, is what baptism pictures for us: In baptism we show that we have been saved from death and doom by the resurrection of Christ; not because our bodies are washed clean by the water but because in being baptised we are turning to God and asking him to cleanse our hearts from sin.), v18-21: Baptism in water is symbolic of being buried, as when you die! Look at Colossians 2:12 – buried with Christ in baptism and raised with Him through your faith. This is clearly symbolic of the death of all your past life, buried in the water. Then as Christ Jesus rose from the grave and from death, so we are to rise with Him, ‘through faith’, out of the water. It was the same extraordinary step of faith for Jesus, who died in absolute belief that He would be raised in three days. Our baptism must be a demonstration of the same faith.
The end of the world is coming soon, v7: Today the world is in chaos. We must live our lives as if Christ is coming back at any moment. Be earnest in prayer; committed to your faith; devoted to one another, ‘God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings. Are you called to preach? Then preach as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies so that God will be glorified through Jesus Christ – to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.’ (1 Peter 4:10-11, TLB).
Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you. Instead, be really glad – because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed, v12: When I was smuggling Bibles into communist east Europe, I didn’t know I would end up in prison, although I did know the risks. Our trials and tribulations make us who we are, they develop and refine our faith. I love the old song which simply says, ‘Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God. Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.’ Trust Him who made you, He will never fail you!