An Attitude Toward Life
I Pt. 4:1 – 11
We Live in a
Confused Time
• We have much to live with and so little to live for.
• Even some Christians today are living in a state of
confusion as to their direction and purpose in life.
First, the child of God leaves behind
the lusts of the flesh and commits
himself to follow the will of God
by living a pure life.
I Pt. 4:1 – 2, “Therefore, since Christ
suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves also with the same mind,
for he who has suffered in the flesh
has ceased from sin,
2 that he no longer should live the
rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts
of men, but for the will of God.”
The saints of Peter’s time were facing severe
trials for the sake of their faith.
They would have to be very sure of their motives
and commitment to serve their God.
Most Christians today, don’t realize that
the pagan world of the apostolic days was
far more lustful, immoral than our own.
• But it was. Only the days of Noah might
have been worse than the first century.
I Pt. 4:3 – 5, “For we have spent enough of
our past lifetime in doing the will of the
Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts,
drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and
abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they
think it strange that you do not run with them in
the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of
you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is
ready to judge the living and the dead.”
Christians of course give up living life
distant & rebellious to God’s will.
• When an unconverted person observes this
lifestyle change they at first think it “strange”
that anyone would give up such pleasures.
II. Living with the End in View
Christians live with Judgment in View
Rms 14:11, “For it is written: "As I live,
says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God."
I Pt. 4:5 – 7, “For this reason the
gospel was preached also to those
who are dead, that they might be
judged according to men in the flesh,
but live according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand;
therefore be serious and watchful
in your prayers.”
III. Living for Others
Third, the child of God lives unselfishly,
concerned not merely
About himself but others as well.
I Pt. 4:8, “And above all things have
Fervent love for one another, for
"love will cover a multitude of sins."
Exhortations to love among
the people of God are frequent
in Scriptures:
• Col. 3:14, “over all these virtues put on love,
which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
• I Jn. 4:7, “dear friends, let us love one another,
for love comes from God. Everyone who loves
has been born of God and knows God.”
How does love cover sins?
• The child of God who loves his brother or sister
as he should does not take offense easily.
• He bears with weaknesses and faults of others,
he never keeps score of wrongs done to him.
• He does not tell others the unfavorable things
he knows about someone.
• He looks for ways to help people. He seeks to
restore the erring, fellowship with the believers
& convert the unbeliever.
Love also causes Christians to “offer hospitality
to one another without grumbling.” I Pt. 4:9
Whatever the child of God has should
be viewed as a means to help others
I Pt. 4:10, “As each one has received a
gift, minister it to one another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Conclusion:
From a Divine point of view,
human life is just this simple:
“Fear God and keep his commandments, for
this is the whole duty of man.” Ecc. 12:13
When one has a Christian perspective on life,
then they have something to hold on to.