1 Peter 4
1 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;
How do we arm ourselves? With The Word and our Faith. Christians are not poor me babes, but bold upright children of God.
2 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.
Christ came that we may have The Way. A time given to us by Him to choose Him. Today may be your last. We are dead until we live. You're not alive until you repent and walk The Path given by Him. Christian = Christ like.
3 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:
It's past when you repent. Time to start a new.
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
Evil people will hate you because you don't want to go party with them. Your focus isn't the party but eternity. Let them run their mouth.
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
As soon as you die of this flesh you go to your new body. Make sure you make the best of what you do in this flesh because it's what brings reward or punishment. Every Real Christian knows this and believes it. Ref. 1 Cor. 15 = new body.
6 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.
Christ Jesus went to those that had already died before His death on the cross. Everyone is given the chance to hear and receive Him. Everyone will be judged in the same measure. That measure is Christ Jesus. Abraham heard Christ during those three days mentioned above and will be judged according to what he believed after he heard Him. What he did before that may be written in The Book of life, but what he did with Christ Jesus words on the days he heard Him is the ending factor for him and everyone before and after Christ death on the cross.
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
"THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND"; if ever a warning you should heed to! Stop playing church, stop doing the things and believing the junk of the worldly. REPENT and get into THE WORD OF GOD!
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Help others without fighting or complaining about it.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
"The Gift" is Christ. Let everyone know about Him. God also gives each of us gifts to use in bringing His will to be done.
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.
It's never about me, it's about God.
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Tribulations happen to us ALL. It makes us what we should be and become. That's here today, right now and what we will become as He sets things before us tomorrow.
13 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.
As things happen, good or bad, stand strong as the Christians you are. Upon Christ arrival you will have a smile while the rest fear.
14 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.
Don't let them see you sweat. Be glad evil people hate you, it shows you who you are. Imagine if they liked you. You would be them!
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
Let the evil go about their evil. You judge in righteousness and stay away from them. Plant and pray!
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
As a REAL Christian, I ask you, is it suffering when you know the outcome? You can handle whatever may come. Keep your Faith in God's will.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Reward or punishment upon judgment. The choice is ours. But know this, it will start at the pulpit. Those who have been given the duty to teach The Word of God had better be doing their job. If they're not feeding the people The Truth and The Whole Word Chapter by Chapter, they're in big trouble. Today's pulpits, for the most part, have a watered down message that loses it's meaning. This is why it's very important to find your place in a church that teaches The Word Chapter for Chapter and verse for verse.
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
We ALL go before The Judgment seat of Christ. What's written in your part of The Book? Do something about it today and everyday.
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
When this flesh dies, your soul IMMEDIATELY goes into your new body and [IF] you followed Christ, you have a wonderful ETERNAL life coming. Heaven is called such because there is NO evil in it.