seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Peter 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.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
These verses are definitely in need of clarification. Here's the commentary I use for clarification.They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge: When this account is required, all who live in the sins Peter described will clearly see how foolish they have been. Even if one seems to live the “good life” living by the world’s rules, his life will be a waste in the measure of eternity.
Above all things have fervent love for one another: If these are the last days, then it is important for us to love those we are going to spend eternity with. In light of eternity, we must have fervent love for one another.
Are you better than Jesus? Jesus did not obey all the law humans made here on earth. He worked on the Sabbath... that was a biggie. It riled the priests! He took on the Money Changers in the Temple. They probably never really recovered financially from the havoc He caused. That also caused a problem with the finances of the Temple... after all, there was a tax to be paid by the Money Changers for the use of the Temple grounds. He drew big crowds when He knew darned well that Rome didn't like big crowds. That left the priests with a lot of explaining to do.
Sure, Jesus didn't break the lewd and lascivious rules. He did, however, break a lot of the important laws of the day. Can you imagine? The lawmakers probably worried the crowds Jesus drew would break out in protest against them. How expensive, asked the government, is crowd control at these events? How much did it cost to clean up all the fish bones and bread crumbs after one of His Mass Dinner Parties? Did Jesus pay His tax? After all, there has to be a tax on all the public revelry.
Jesus broke human rules. He was beaten and hung on a cross for that disobedience.
Humans judged Jesus.
Are you better than Jesus?
There are some people who think they are exempt from the rules and the laws. They think they are entitled to say and do as they please. They think they are smarter than everyone. They think their poop is without odor. They tell the people when they can worship and when they should be at work. the Sabbath is just another work day to them. They would throw their own mother out on the streets if she couldn't meet the rent. They decide what the Gospel means and they decide what to tell the common folk that it means.
They beat Jesus bloody and hung Him on a cross for ignoring their rules while they stomped the Commandments into the dirt.
Will you be judged? Of course you will. You are judged by humans every day. If you scowl.... it causes a rift in the universe... someone will want to know why you scowled... or your scowl will be ignored and that will cause animosity. Will you be found guilty of your crime? Sure, well maybe not if you have a really slick lawyer. You will be judged though, and if you can't afford to hire a really terrific lawyer to get you off.... You will be found guilty and you will have to pay the penalty. Shouldn't you face some consequences?
Being Christian isn't a get out of jail free card.
After all.... Jesus was beaten and hung on a cross for the rules He broke. Why would you expect any less in your case?
Are you better than Jesus?
