1 Peter 4:1-3
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
When you were in the world you did the things of the world. You partied, drank until you were drunk, you lied, you cheated, you stole, you sexually messed around, you took drugs…you’ve done some abominable things. But when you gave your life and heart to Christ and were forgiven for all those things, let’s not go back again recapturing our sinful lives and sinful ways. This is where some of us get confused. We think its OK to relive some of the things we did in the world because “its not that bad.” It doesn’t take a big situation that will pull you back in the world, its the little things, the little foxes that destroy the vine. Most people will wait for some big catastrophe, “my momma died, my best friend died” and then your dragged back into the bar drinking. No. It doesn’t take all that, its the little things that eat slowly at your Salvation, the little foxes. As those little things begin to add up, it takes a toll on your Christian walk. Now I tell you we need to pray every time when we enter into diverse situations, bringing it up to the Lord so those things don’t stay behind us but in front of us, so the Lord can heal us from those wounds and errors.
1 Peter 4:4
Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
The people whom you use to hang out with, your boys, girls, friends, neighbors, relatives, and now you don’t run around anymore, you don’t hang out with them, you don’t party with them. For guys, you’re not looking at women like you use to or hit on women like you use to. For women, you don’t hit on men like you use to, you don’t dress sexually like you use to. You have stopped all those things that are of the flesh. Now your friends are looking at you like “what is wrong with so and so?” You know how you loved to party, you know you loved that bottle, you were best friends with that bottle. You don’t want to hang out at the club, or pub. They think it strange to the point where they being to speak evil of you to the point where they say, “Oh you think you better than us…you think you perfect.” People make excuses for themselves instead of realizing the truth.
1 Peter 4:5-7
Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
In other words, when God comes to judge you, He will judge you for what you are doing now, not for the past because that has been forgiven you. Men will judge your actions, what you say, how you do or how you act, when you don’t act as you use to. But God will judge your spirit according to His will of righteousness. The world doesn’t understand. Men and women don’t understand why you aren’t like other men, women, or teenagers, or other young adults. All the while they are judging the individuals talking about “that’s the lifestyle you’re living that hard lifestyle.” Its funny to me that some want to live on the verge of that lifestyle, and talk about those who live totally in that lifestyle. Whether you are a little in the world or a lot of the world, the key point is that you’re in the world. Growing up, my parents use to tell me a black pot can’t call a kettle black, because you’re both in the fire and both black. You can’t look at me and say your sinning, when you are in sin yourself. Know you not that the Children of God will judge the world? How can you judge the world when you’re looking through the glasses of the world, walking in the shoes of the world?
1 Peter 4:8-10
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Now it says the manifold grace of God, the diversity or variety of God’s grace.
1 Peter 4:11
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Most people minister out of their flesh and not to God’s Glory.
1 Peter 4:12-14
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
1 John 2:14-15
I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Ok, what does it mean by love the world? Have not affections for this world. Some people say that I love America and I love this place. This is the sort of love depicting here, that you care so much for this world. That means the people of this world, the lifestyle of this world. People who make plans and desires, and have hope and faith in things of this world. Because of that, you aren’t worthy to go back with the Lord.
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
The 15-16 verses describe love not the world.
1 John 2:17-18
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 Timothy 4:1-3
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Forbidding to marry. People would rather live together than get married. Living together with options, with the chance to changing their minds. Satan has made evil good and good evil.
1 Thessalonians 2:1-4
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
Paul was letting them know and expound to them. They were “off the chain,” walking after their deception and in their sins and not after the truth. Paul was not being decietful in telling them their sins, he was corrected them about this.
Luke 8:16-17
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
For those who claim to be the Children of God, and your walk is truth, if it is not truth, Luke 8:17 says that nothing is secret that shall not be made manifest. If you are walking in sin of deception it will be revealed.
Romans 8:14-22
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
This is walking in righteousness. If you ware walking in righteousness and your walk is true, the manifestation of God’s glory will be revealed in your life and the surroundings because if not, as it says in Luke 8:17, it will be revealed. The Lord tells us every work that a Child of God does will be tried by fire, whether its works of gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble. If it burns up, your walk wasn’t in righteousness, it was in vain.