A couple of weeks ago, we reflected on Jesus our example.
First, that the Spirit of the Lord rests on Him.
Peter said the Spirit of God rests on believers who suffer for being a Christian.
It’s worth a second look at the blessings we have when we invite Christ into our lives.
- wisdom
- understanding
- counsel
- might
- knowledge of God
- fear of the Lord
Peter’s next words sound as if we then become an example to the world.
“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17).
Judgment refers not only to future punishment, but also future rewards.1
*How might judgment encompass also future rewards?
We are not alone in our trials because we are part of God’s family.
“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29).
*How can being part of God’s family help us in trials?
The relationship between faith and judgment is at times murky, but Paul wrote pages to clarify.
“What does Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’ Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.’” (Romans 4:3-8).
- If we are considered righteous in Jesus, yet experience God’s judgment, how much more so will the unrighteous?
- God allows His people to suffer through various forms of persecution.
- If we are indeed an example for the ungodly, imagine the final, ultimate fate of those who willfully disobey God.
- The gospel they disregard is the “coming and life of Jesus as the Messiah.”2
- They do not accept the truth of the Incarnation.
- The gospel—good news—is Jesus.
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
*Why does God allow us to suffer trials and persecution? According to Peter, what might be God’s ultimate purpose?
*How would you explain Jesus’ “coming and life as Messiah” as good news?
Peter reminded his readers the path of righteousness isn’t always easy.
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? (1 Peter 4:18).
- The righteous are part of God’s family.
- I love Zodhiates’ definition, “people related to God and who, as a result of this relationship, walk with God.”3
Even though we are blessed by God’s mercy, Jesus pointed out not everyone will follow this path.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). 
- The righteous receive spiritual deliverance from spiritual death.
- In contrast to the ungodly, those who are righteous live in the fear of God and all it requires. That’s an exploration for another day.
- In this translation, the verse asks what will become of the ungodly.
- The Greek word answers the rhetorical question—they will appear in judgment.4
This next verse sounds contradictory—we do good because we suffer??
“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1 Peter 4:19).
*What does it mean to experience spiritual deliverance from spiritual death?
*How have you experienced walking with God in relationship?
In the context of Jesus being our example,
Second, that “He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).
Jesus obeyed in suffering, as the writer to the Hebrews noted,
“Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).
In suffering, Jesus fulfilled God’s will: His “active good pleasure”5 for man.
- Believers will be subjected to evil.
- We are counted among the righteous because of our faith, not our good works.
- We are called to entrust ourselves to God for our own sake.
- We allow Him to be in charge of our lives for our good.
- God is trustworthy and faithful.
- He allows the suffering that we experience as a Christian.
- Since we know He is in control, we continue to live for God.
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us (1 Peter 2:12).
*How can we entrust ourselves to God?
*How can we learn obedience from suffering?
*What does it mean to allow God to be in charge of our lives?
Peter’s last sentence in this chapter summarizes both topics.
“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1 Peter 4:19).
- We are not to dwell on our sufferings.
- Rather, God calls us to commit ourselves to Him as our Creator who knows what is best.
- Knowing He is in control, our faith spurs us on to do good.
We live in this way because
“faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).
- We know we will be with God in eternity after this earthly life.
- We have assurance God is at work behind the scenes, regardless of outward circumstances.
What better hope is that?!
*How can we live out this hope today?
*What is one specific way your faith will encourage you to do good this week?
- Spiros Zodhiates Th.D., The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 888
- Zodhiates, 669
- Zodhiates, 458
- Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D., The Complete Word Study New Testament King James Version (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1991), 951
- Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament (Chattanooga, Tennessee: AMG Publishers, 1992), 1434
- Zodhiates, 721