1 Peter 4:2

As a result, it is now possible to live the remainder of your time in the flesh no longer following human desires, but following God’s will.


Now this is a powerful promise as well as a humiliating principle (hard truth)! As we saw in verse 1, the attitude that God calls us to have results in a type of commitment that will endure through great trial. Let us remember again the immediate audience of Peter’s epistle. It is to refugees who have been scattered about, fleeing for their lives because of a terrible persecution. This commitment which God calls us to have in the face of such persecution is no more (and no less) than the commitment that Jesus had in His enduring suffering for our salvation! Jesus was teaching this principle when He said that if any man would come after Him, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Him (Matthew 16:24-25). Taking up the cross is indicative of knowledge and commitment. This is not some blind sort of faith that embraces persecution in a stupid and ignorant manner (post-modernity), nor is it a sort of faith that embraces persecution for some reasons of meritorious spiritual gain (asceticism). No, this is a faith that sees the cost, has counted it, and for the joy that is seen with those eyes which see the unseen, endures, persevering to the end, realizing that Christ Himself is the reward. We have just been reminded in verse 1 that the One who suffered in the flesh for us endured that suffering according to knowledge. He saw and understood and joyfully embraced the Father’s purpose in His suffering. Peter says that as a result of us arming ourselves with this thought (attitude) we are now able to live committed and yes, victorious lives in our battle with the flesh. Think again about the immediate circumstance into which Peter wrote this epistle. There were most assuredly believers being martyred for their faith daily (even as they continue to be to this day). Peter instructs us here that, being armed with this attitude, what little time we have left to live in the flesh should be spent crucifying it. Even if God does not require us to die as martyrs, we must live as martyrs! This is the very same principle which Paul lays out in Romans 14:7-8. Self-denial or mortifying the sinful desires of the flesh is the result of being armed with the attitude that Christ had in His suffering in the flesh. What Peter is saying here is that what has been done for you in Christ’s suffering bears itself out in your life as death. Christ’s death in the flesh necessarily means that your life in the flesh is to be a crucifixion of it, and that dying to the flesh is truly life and evidence of it (see Philippians 1:21; Ephesians 4 and 5; Romans 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Galatians 2:19-20).

One related principle we should consider here which is very practical is the principle which might be called “radical amputation” found in Matthew 5. What Peter has exhorted the refugees to is radical obedience in the face of radical persecution. This is helpful to us as we consider progressive sanctification in our own lives. The application of the principle that Peter has just set forth – that it is now possible for us to live the remainder of our time in the flesh no longer following human desires, but following God’s will – very often requires radical amputation in our personal lives. The underlying principle here is the believer putting off the “old man” and the desires of the flesh, and putting on the “new man” which is the likeness of God (Ephesians 4). In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches us that sometimes there is a need for a radical “put off”. It is a put-off with a shock effect. A “let go and let God” quietest mindset is not biblical. God’s design in the redemption of man through Christ is that man, still being present in the body of flesh, should cooperate with the Divine. The underlying principle in what Peter is teaching here is the same principle Jesus taught in Matthew 5:29-30 – and it is very practical. If there is something in the flesh which causes us to sin – the implication here goes directly the desires of the heart. Jesus says that whatever it is that makes it easier for us to sin, we must take whatever action is necessary, even radical action, in order to rid ourselves of it. Implied here is that we must think and do (remember 1 Peter 1:13; 4:1). We must prepare. We must count the cost. We must act definitively and irreparably (ex. Cortez burning his ships). We should take purposeful action to make it hard, uncomfortable and difficult to sin. Paul says the same thing in Romans 13:14. Denial of self in a radical way is what is in view here. Does watching TV lead you to sinful thoughts? Never watch TV. Do you view pornography on the Internet? Sell your computer. And in the mean time, unplug it and set it on the kitchen table to remind you of your sin. Take radical steps to deal with your sinful desires. We should also notice that in His examples Jesus uses the right eye and the right hand. This should further signify to us the extreme nature of the amputation which Jesus is advocating. The amputation is to take place even if it means that the most predominant member should be cut off. Jesus is saying that self denial is that important. By His suffering, even to death, He said that our sin was that serious. The suffering of Christ in the flesh and your personal walk are inseparably intertwined (Matthew 21:28-32).

1 Peter 4:1

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with that thought, because whoever has suffered in the flesh has come to a parting of the ways with sin.

Looking back to 1:13, we see Peter exhorting us to buckle the belts of our minds for action, keeping level-headed, setting our hope entirely on the grace that will be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Notice that in 4:1 Peter continues his appeal to us to prepare our minds. The principle that the true mortification of the flesh proceeds from the mind is prevalent throughout the NT (Romans 7:24-25, 8:5-6, 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:14, 4:4-18; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 1:21-23, 3:2, 3:10-12). Peter is exhorting us, in the very midst of our affliction, to look to Christ and His suffering and to ever keep before us in the front of our minds the thought that Christ has already suffered greatly on our behalf, and has done so in the flesh. In this is great hope and encouragement for the believer who is in the flame of persecution - to know that God of very God has suffered in the flesh before you as an example for you! In the previous chapter, Peter has just exhorted them to patience in doing good because of the example of Christ. In this verse he teaches us that because Christ suffered in the flesh we should deny ourselves, parting ways with sin and joining Him in suffering (see also Romans 6). The words “arm yourselves” here suggest that in the suffering of Christ we are truly supplied with every effectual weapon we need in order to subdue our flesh. This verse reminds us that if we would mortify the flesh, we must look to Christ and the efficacy of His suffering (death). It also reminds us that when we find ourselves suffering for righteousness’ sake, in that very suffering we are actual partakers in the power of His death! Now remember, the one who is in Christ is dead to sin (Romans 6). In the application of the death of Christ to our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are freed from sin’s dominion over our flesh. Therefore, Peter says, when we suffer in the flesh for doing good we are suffering as Christ did, and the very suffering itself is evidence that we have come to a parting of the ways with sin. Peter is teaching here that the very suffering that we experience for doing good is designed by God to produce in us perseverance and hope – which is exactly what his immediate audience was in need of! Suffering for righteousness’ sake is proof to the believer that he is denying his flesh and is being conformed to the very image of Christ Himself in His death (see Philippians 3:9-10).

Another point worthy of notice is Peter’s usage twice of the word “flesh”. It is used in two distinctly different senses. In the first usage of the term, where he says that Christ suffered in the flesh, what he means there is that the “mannishness” of Christ suffered and died. That nature which Christ took upon Himself, emptying Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming like a human being (Philippians 2). Christ, as a man, naturally died. In the second usage of the term, he is using it in reference to us, meaning the corruption and sinfulness of our nature. Therefore what Peter means by the phrase “suffered in the flesh” here signifies the denying of ourselves. There is a great and deep truth here. Christ took on our flesh and suffered in it for our sake. Therefore, the whole of our flesh ought to be crucified: this is the heart of the doctrine of redemption.

You are in need of endurance

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (Hebrews 10:36)


Would you have perfect joy and completeness, lacking in nothing? Then you must have trials of various kinds. James tells us that when we encounter these trials, we should see them for what they are – a grace and blessing of the very sweetest order from the very hand of our good and gracious God. Child of God, know that only the purifying fire of the test can burn away the dross in your heart. What purpose does your Father have in holding you over the flame? O beloved! It is that you may be made perfect and complete, lacking in nothing! No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. What you are in need of is endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised! The fire of the trial is no more than the rod and the staff of the Lord. David understood this full well – Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Believer, whatever trial you find yourself in this day, be comforted by the knowledge that your Shepherd is the only Good One and His eye is on the sparrow. Patiently look to Christ and do the will of God (faithful obedience) that you may receive what was promised.