Not Who You Once Were
Could there be any doubt why Peter was such a leader in the early church? His letter is so full of wisdom. I pray you have been challenged and blessed by this study. Today’s reading is another truthful gem for us to store in our hearts. We are not who we once were. While we rejoice in this liberating fact, those who knew us and like who we were before will not have the same reaction.
Chapter 4 starts off by reminding us to not be surprised by suffering in the flesh. Jesus suffered and he promised that we would too. While we live in an evil world, our faith will make us enemies. The truth about Jesus is that he polarizes people. Few people are neutral when it comes to the Lord. They either love him or they hate him. Those who are lukewarm tend to lean towards the haters when it comes to those of us who are wholly devoted to him. At the very best, they think we are simpletons and bigots. Unfortunately though, more and more Christians are seen less as someone to pity and more as someone to squash by those who disagree with our message.
When we change from living for the flesh to living for God, we may confuse our friends and family. However they respond, though, we need to keep our eyes focused on the Lord. As Peter says in verse 5, they will have to answer to the Lord (the true judge) for every word and action. They will not answer to us. It is not our job to vindicate ourselves. It is our job to be obedient to the Lord. If that means we suffer for months or years before God brings our innocence to light, then we can do so with strength and joy because we know that suffering is part of God’s glorious plan.
As we explore the last verse of today’s reading, we need to acknowledge the different forms of death. If we don’t, verse 6 might get a bit confusing. Verse 6 says, “For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God.” According to The Outline of Biblical Usage by Larry Pierce, the word nekros (dead) in this passage is sometimes used to express physical death – worm food. However, it is also used profusely to speak of the spiritual dead, as Peter now uses it. When most of us hear of spiritual death we think of the time before we gave our life to the Lord. Truly this is a time of spiritual death; however the word actually has a far greater picture attached to it. There are three definitions for how nekros is used in scripture. The first definition is most likely the one we all think of when we think of spiritual death. It is: “destitute of a life that recognizes and is devoted to God because given to trespasses and sins.” These are those who either refuse to acknowledge God or refuse to obey Him. These are the unsaved. However, the final two definition are not regulated to only non-Christians. These definitions should give us pause and cause us to reflect on our walk.
The second definition is: “inactive as respects doing right”. We can be paralyzed Christians. These have given their life to God but then cease to move. They do not grow in their faith. In fact, there is not much of a change in their lives. In reflection of verse 4, these individuals would not have friends who are surprised because they have not failed to join them in their wild living. If they have put an end to the chasing of fleshly lusts, they have failed to replace this with chasing after spiritual things. Their walk is stagnant. They are dead men walking in circles and waiting for an eternity they will receive because of God’s grace but they have done nothing to add to the number of those entering into God’s kingdom.
Finally, we have: “destitute of force, inactive, inoperative.” This death is one that has given up. It wields no power. These are the ones who are battered around by every wind and every trial. These are the doubters. Who, like James 1:6 says are “like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” These are the life-support Christians.
Whether you are living and growing or dead in your salvation, we have hope. Verse 6 explains that God hasn’t given up on us. The gospel is still preached to us when we are dead. It says, “For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead…” The beginning of this verse expects us to look back to understand it. Why was the gospel preached to all forms of dead people? Because we “will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” All will be judged, not just the unsaved. Yes, we have a ticket into eternity with Christ, but that does not include a ‘get out of judgement free card’. Romans 14:12 says, “So each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Likewise, Hebrews 4:13 tells us, “And before Him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.”
We are different than who and what we were. We can choose to act like it, or we can ignore our salvation. What a pity if we do the latter. The choice is not as easy as it looks on paper though. Peter clearly tells us that if we chose to change from a life devoid of devotion to God to a life which honors Him, it will be noticed. Clearly, we can make the decision to remain paralyzed or on life-support. Perhaps our friends won’t notice and won’t ridicule us. Perhaps we will avoid some of the struggle and trials that come with being a Christian in a wicked world, but at what cost? To those who have chosen to forfeit a life well-lived, the gospel is still preached to you. The message is still spoken over your life. One day you will stand before the Lord to give an account. In that moment, your friends will be all gone, your reputation will be meaningless, your career pointless. The only thing that will matter will be between you and God. Understanding this future certainty gives us the courage to step out of a dead and stagnant life and face the trials and sufferings that come with our faith. Though the pain may be real and hard in this moment, our healing will last for all of eternity.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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