1 Peter 4

Living for God and Enduring Suffering

1 Since Jesus suffered in His body, you all need to arm yourselves with the same mindset. If you have suffered in the body, you are done with sin.

2 Live the rest of your life for God’s will, not for chasing your old sinful cravings.

3 You all already spent enough time wilding out, living reckless, getting drunk, and chasing the wrong things.

4 Now, folks might trip because you are not partying with them anymore. They will talk bad about you.

5 But they will have to answer to God, who is ready to judge everybody, living or dead.

6 That is why the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so they could live in the Spirit, even if judged by human standards.

7 The end of everything is near. Stay alert and clear-headed so you can pray.

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a lot of sins.

9 Be cool with opening your crib to others without complaining.

10 Use whatever gift God gave you to serve others like a faithful steward of God’s grace.

11 If you speak, speak God’s words. If you serve, do it with God’s strength, so everything brings glory to Him through Jesus.

12 Do not act surprised when fiery trials hit you. It is not random, it is part of the game.

13 Rejoice when you share in Jesus’ suffering so you can celebrate big-time when His glory is revealed.

14 If people diss you for representing Jesus, you are blessed. That is God’s Spirit resting on you.

15 But do not suffer because you are out here doing wrong, murdering, stealing, or being shady.

16 If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed. Instead, praise God for it.

17 Judgment starts with God’s people. If it starts with us, imagine how bad it will be for those who reject God.

18 If even the righteous barely make it, where does that leave sinners and the godless,

19 So if you are suffering as part of God’s plan, trust Him and keep doing good.