December 5, 2025 - 1 Peter 4

Hear Peter’s argument, here.  Christ has suffered and died so that we might no longer live our old lives, rather, that we “might live in the spirit the way God does” (4:6-7).  Furthermore, “the end of all things is at hand” (4:8),and it is all the more urgent that we live lives pleasing to God.  Now, we live in a fallen world, and we must not be surprised, Peter writes, regarding “the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you," (4:12).  Rather, we can rejoice insofar as we are simply sharing Christ’s own sufferings (4:13), even when we suffer at the hands of those who rule over us.  Thus, here is the application:  In our relations with the authorities, with those in control over us, with our spouses, between generations, and with the world, we are to live like God’s people, even when we are suffering unjustly at the hands of others.  When suffering, we can entrust our “souls to a faithful Creator while doing good” (4:19).  He is faithful.

I know that my Redeemer lives;

what comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, He lives, who once was dead;

He lives, my everlasting Head.

He lives triumphant from the grave,

He lives eternally to save,

He lives all-glorious in the sky,

He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to bless me with His love . . .

He lives to plead for me above . . .

He lives my hungry soul to feed . . .

He lives to silence all my fears . . .

Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,

“I know that my Redeemer lives!”   -- Samuel Medley (1775)