God is waiting patiently Week 7, 1 Peter 3:18–4:6 A common team building exercise at management retreats is follow-the-leader. The team members are usually blindfolded and place their hands on the shoulders of the person before them. The leader navigates a path through uncharted territory, warning his followers of obstacles in front of them: turns in the path, fallen logs, low-hanging limbs, etc. A wise leader is in constant communication with their team. The followers must pay careful attention to the descriptions of unseen dangers along the way. In this week’s passage, we will see two elements of follow-the-leader. In the first section, 1 Peter 3:18–22, we see the example of the leader, Christ, illustrating how to be victorious as he endured unjust suffering. In the second portion, 1 Peter 4:1–6, Christ’s followers are encouraged and instructed to follow Christ’s example. There is a description of various obstacles along the path and the proper mindset needed to overcome them. Day 1: Read and react As you read the passage, look for Christ’s example of suffering unjustly and emerging victorious to accomplish the saving purpose of God. Then, watch for Peter’s call for believers to arm themselves to face persecution for righteousness sake. His call is a call to strength, to unwavering resolve, like a soldier entering battle. 1 Peter 3:18–4:6 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits — 20a to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand — with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 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. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. What does Peter say about why Christ suffered? How does Peter describe our lives before trusting in Christ? We have a leader who has triumphantly emerged from persecution. He has given us clear directions and the resources we need to follow. Whether we can be victorious depends on our willingness to focus on him amid the conflict and obey his instructions.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 16:22:38 +0000
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