1 PETER Chapter 4 - Living For God

Living For God

Therefore, 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.

2 As a result,

HE DOES NOT LIVE THE REST OF HIS EARTHLY LIFE

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 think it Strange

That you do not Plunge with them

Into the same Flood of Dissipation,

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 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.

7 THE END OF ALL THINGS IS NEAR.

(The Last Two Days of Time, the Last Two Thousand Years)

THEREFORE BE CLEAR MINDED AND SELF-CONTROLLED

SO THAT YOU CAN 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 one should use what ever Gift he has received

To Serve others,

Faithfully Administering God's Grace in its various forms.

11 IF ONE SPEAKS,

HE SHOULD DO IT AS ONE SPEAKING THE VERY WORDS OF GOD.

If one Serves, he should do it 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.

Suffering For Being A Christian

12 Dear friends,

DO NOT BE SURPRISED

AT THE PAINFUL TRIAL YOU ARE SUFFERING,

AS THOUGH SOMETHING STRANGE WERE HAPPENING TO YOU.

13 BUT REJOICE

THAT YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE SUFFERING OF CHRIST,

SO THAT YOU MAY BE OVERJOYED

WHEN HIS GLORY IS REVEALED.

14 IF YOU ARE INSULTED BECAUSE OF THE NAME OF CHRIST,

YOU ARE BLESSED,

FOR THE SPIRIT OF GLORY AND OF GOD RESTS ON YOU.

15 If you Suffer,

It should not be as a Murderer of Thief

Or any other kind of Criminal,

Or even as a Meddler.

16 HOWEVER, IF YOU SUFFER AS A CHRISTIAN,

DO NOT BE ASHAMED,

BUT PRAISE GOD THAT YOU BEAR THAT NAME.

17 FOR IT IS TIME FOR JUDGMENT TO BEGIN

WITH THE FAMILY OF GOD;

AND IF IT BEGINS WITH US,

WHAT WILL THE OUTCOME BE

FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL OF GOD?

18 AND 'I IT IS HARD FOR THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE SAVED

WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE UNGODLY AND THE SINNER?'

19 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)