1 Peter 4:1-6

 1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same
attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result,
he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for
the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans
choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and
detestable idolatry. 4They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into
the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have
to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this
is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that
they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according
to God in regard to the spirit.

Reflection:
1. Peter describes the Roman world of his day as a society that has lost its mind
in excess.  Violence, oppression, cruelty, the abuse of power, and sexual
insanity dominate the landscape.  How is it possible for Christians to maintain
sexual sanity in a sexually overheated society?  At school, teens ridicule
Christian young people for not being involved in drinking and premarital sex.
Coworkers can’t understand why we don’t stop off at the local bar after work
to get drunk on Friday night.  And yet so many non-Christians quite sincerely
ask, “What do you do for fun?” They think it strange that we don’t plunge
with them into the same flood of dissipation.
2. And, as Peter warned, they “heap abuse on you.”  When that happens,
remember that you have been transformed by the love of Jesus.  With God’s
help, I will determine to be done with sin.  And my calling is to do the “will
of God”(v2)—to speak the truth of the gospel into the lives of those who do
not  yet know Christ as Lord.
3. Take some time to be silent before God and reflect:  How big is the influence
of the world, its trend, culture or value, to me? How can I live my life out
in contrast with those around me, but continue to pursue God’s mission in
building restored relationships with them?

Personal Note:
What makes me different than people of this world?  Do I follow the same trend, culture, and value?

For example, the world value individual that climbs the social ladder with education, career advancement, wealth, and status for bringing glory to the individual.  Jesus Christ value followers that reaches down the social ladder by using the gift of education, career, resources, and influences for brining the good news of Christ as part of God's work of redemption.

1 Peter 3:13-18

 13Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you
should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear;
do not be frightened.” 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the
hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear
conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in
Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer
for doing good than for doing evil. 18For Christ died for sins once for all, the
righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the
body but made alive by the Spirit,

Meditation:
1. It is always difficult to suffer unjustly.  Peter did not always understand this.
When Jesus first taught that the Messiah must suffer and die unjustly, Peter
attempted to stop Jesus.  However, Peter now understands that unjust
suffering could bear the most surprising fruit.   Peter reminds us that Jesus
suffered innocently too.  And yet through the injustice of Christ’s suffering,
He brought us to God (v18).   And God turned injustice into a means of grace
and of blessing for all mankind.
2. When we suffer unjustly, we can be sure that God hasn’t forgotten or forsaken
us.  And out of the evil God will bring some very real good.   Therefore, Peter
says that if injustice happens, “you are blessed.”
3. Have I ever experienced unjust treatment or hardship because of following
the Lord?  Pray and ask God to show me how I might imitate Jesus today, this
week, this month.

Personal Note:
There was a time when I received the call to pursue vocational ministry back in 2007.  I was leaving behind the lucrative (money making) trading business, leaving behind the comfort of the small group, and leaving the relationship at that time due to incompatibility.  I have to admit that the hardship was nothing compare to the suffering from people being persecuted from their faith.  I did felt lonely, confused, worried, and did questioned why God was leading me down that path.

Now looking back, the hardship enable to grow closer to God and I thank God for the experiences.  I would not enjoy God's blessings and presences if I did not obey Him.

Today, the hardship that we are enduring in following the LORD comes from pressure from the world we live in.  We are tempted to pursue all sorts of talents (music, athletics, extra academics) or forced to engage in them by parents at the expense of neglecting the time needed to cultivate the relationship with God.  The challenge is how to encourage one another to pursuit a deeper relationship with God in the midst of the pressures from our society (school, music, athletic,  parents, friends).