Is Trauma Terminal? (1 Peter 4:1-6, 12-19)

Is Trauma Terminal?
1 Peter 4:1-6, 12-19

INTRODUCTION:
You have heard of the expression “cancel culture.” Wikipedia defines “cancel culture:” Cancel culture is a cultural phenomenon in which an individual thought to have acted or spoken in an unacceptable manner is ostracized, boycotted, shunned, fired or assaulted, often aided by social media. This shunning may extend to social or professional circles—whether on social media or in person—with most high-profile incidents involving celebrities. Those subject to this ostracism are said to have been “canceled”.

The website rolling out.com had an article on it about actor Sterling Brown exposing Hollywood’s double standards in this age of “cancel culture.”

God’s people have nearly always endured “cancel culture.” You recall that during the days of the prophet Elijah, Queen Jezebel was killing prophets left and right because they were rebuking her for her idolatry and immoralities. The account is found in 1 Kings 18. She even put a price on Elijah’s head.

The Christians to whom Peter writes are being persecuted, “cancelled,” and could potentially face sometime more drastic. Peter writes them to stay faithful to Jesus Christ and His message and he wants to comfort them by stating that when they suffer, they participate in Christ’s sufferings and they will receive their reward.

SUFFERING FROM THE UNGODLY - 1 Peter 4:1-6:
In 3:18, Peter had spoken about the suffering of Christ for our salvation. Here, Peter tells Christians that we, too, need to set our minds on the possibility (probability?) that we too will suffer. Jesus had already said as much in Matthew 10:24-26. One benefit of suffering with Christ, Peter says, is that we cease from sin. When we have died to sin through baptism, Paul writes in Romans 6:7, we are freed from the chain of sin. That does not mean that we will not still sin from time to time (1 John 1:8-10). But our lives will not be characterized by sin.

In fact, in Romans 6:1-11, Paul tells how the believer is baptized into the death of Christ and has thereby died to sin. So, he will not live the rest of his life, Peter says, pursuing the lusts of the flesh. Rather, he will focus on doing the will of God (1 Thess. 4:3-5).

Peter meditates on the sinful lives they had lived before, following the desires of the Gentiles (non-Christians), who live for the flesh and do not care for the will of God. Peter says enough time has been spent living like that.

“Sensuality” - Excesses in behavior, normally referring to sexual sins.
“Lusts” - Desires that are not biblical.
“Drunkenness” - which is associated here with “carousing” and “drinking parties”
“Abominable idolatries” - putting anything or anyone in the place of God in our lives

Non-Christians, of course, think it is odd - they are surprised - when the Christian chooses not to engage in sinful, self-destructive, God-dishonoring behaviors along with them. Especially if the Christian did those things when he or she was still a non-Christian. Consequently, the non-Christian speaks “evil” or “slanders” the Christian. Not only does the non-Christian feel judged when the Christian refuses to engage in this behavior, but if the non-Christian has the authority, then they try to “cancel” the Christian from saying anything against their behavior.

Christians find this behavior troubling. But, those who do not respect Jesus Christ and His gospel are going to pay a high price one day. They will not escape punishment, especially if they abuse God’s children. God will judge the “living and the dead.” God will hold every accountable to His message of salvation (2 Cor. 5:10) and He will not overlook ignorance in this day and time (Acts 17:31), not with the Gospel so widely available now for people to read and study.

THE CHRISTIAN GLORIES IN HIS / HER SUFFERING - 4:12-19:
Peter warns Christians that suffering is not unusual for God’s people. For Christ’s people. Suffering is a part of the Christian experience. It is, in fact, a means of testing their faith and their convictions.

“Fiery trial” refers to smelting gold and silver and is used for trials in places like Revelation 18:9, 18 and Proverbs 27:21. But Christians should rejoice when they share in Christ’s sufferings because we are suffering for the same cause as Jesus Christ: for testifying to the truth. Paul promises us in 2 Timothy 2:12 that if we endure faithful, we will reign with Him; but if we deny Him, He will deny us.

The “name of Christ” is the name which we wear: Christian, used in 1 Peter 4:16. It was in the name of Christ that disciples in the book of Acts gloried and served (Acts 5;41; 9:16; 21:13). They will be blessed because the Holy Spirit rests on them and He is the “Spirit of glory and of God” While the enemies of Christians blaspheme, Christians glorify Christ and are rewarded for their faithfulness.

There is a difference between suffering unjustly as a Christian versus suffering justly as a sinner. Peter gives several types of sinners and then warns Christians not to be like them. The word translated “busybody” is related to the word for “bishop” or “overseer;” this word refers to “overseeing someone else.” That is, being a busybody.

But if someone suffers as a Christian, he or she is to rejoice. This is one of the three times that God uses the word “Christian” in the NT; the other two times are Acts 11:26; 26:28.

It is not shameful to be punished if one is punished for staying faithful to Christ. In fact, that is a good thing.

Christians are to stay faithful to God in light of the coming judgment, which will come over the “house of God.” It is probable that Peter is referring to persecution that will come over the Christians in the city of Rome in the coming years; the persecution in which Peter, himself, will in fact be crucified. That persecution will fall first and most heavily on the church of Christ. But it will also spread to others; primarily Jews, but also others who are not viewed as sufficiently supportive of the Roman government. If Christians suffer, how much more will non-Christians suffer?

Peter quotes Proverbs 11:31 to support his case. Peter is not talking about the final judgment when he refers to Christians being “scarcely saved.” Rather, Christians will receive an “abundant entrance” into the kingdom (2 Peter 1:11). Peter is talking about Christians scarcely being saved when Jerusalem is attacked and ransacked by the Roman armies in the near future.

In view of these truths, Christians who suffer in keeping the will of God should entrust their souls to Him in doing good works. Christ will deliver them if they do so. Do you believe Him?

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:
None of us like to suffer. It is the natural human desire to crave comfort and pleasure. But suffering for Christ has its advantages; it shows us that the lusts of the flesh are temporary and weans us off them. Suffering shows us how much we need God. In that environment, the Christian is less likely to be influenced by the sins of the flesh.

The “pastimes” of the world from the first century to now have not changed much. The Christian should avoid the activities Peter mentions here and should stay away from places where they are practiced.

When the world mocks the Christian’s convictions, when the world tries to “cancel” their preaching the truth, the Christian should kindly and patiently stand for righteousness and defend his fellow Christian against slander.

Christians in other ages have endured persecution as well and God will not allow us to be tempted more than what we can carry (1 Cor. 10:13). This life is short. Let’s stay faithful so we can enjoy the rewards prepared for the faithful of all ages for eternity.

Take home message: Cancel culture may try to silence us, but we will speak boldly for the truth of Jesus Christ. Let's stand firm in our faith!