Jehovah's Witnesses Straight Talk - Forum/Blog

The book of 1 Peter

Chapter 4

1Pet.4:1 Forasmuch then as 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; 4:2 that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

Many Christian's have wondered and taken Peters thoughts out of context to the truth in Christ here, how does suffering in our flesh cause us to cease from sinning? First one must ask the all time question, can one stop sinning according to the written word of God, no! If we make the claim we have no sin we are a liar. So what is Peter speaking to here, because seemingly he is contradicting God's words that tells us we cannot say we have no sin?

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Peter speak to a divine truth found only in Christ, which is, when the apostle Paul tried with all his strengthen to bring the will of his flesh under God's perfect law, it only caused him more sin, and what does this mean? It means the harder one tries to be perfect by God's righteous law the greater their acknowledgment is that they cannot be perfect exposing their sins. They are forced into openly saying: “I am a sinner, I cannot stop sinning enough to meet the perfection of God perfect and righteous law!”

Rom.7:6 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter. 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn't have known sin, except through the law. For I wouldn't have known coveting, unless the law had said, "You shall not covet."{Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21} 7:8 But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead. 7:9 I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 7:10 The commandment, which was for life, this I found to be for death; 7:11 for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. 7:12 Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. 7:13 Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful. 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin. 7:15 For I don't know what I am doing. For I don't practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do. 7:16 But if what I don't desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. 7:17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good.
7:19 For the good which I desire, I don't do; but the evil which I don't desire, that I practice. 7:20 But if what I don't desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. 7:21 I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present.

Hence, they judge themselves correctly in light of truth, now they must find a solution to their sinning or they will not enter into life? No longer can they look to self to solve this unobtainable circumstance they have mentally acknowledge by proper truthful judgment of themselves their real condition before God. They cannot lying saying I love God, and that is enough, or do some great works in God's name, they must acknowledge the whole truth, nothing in them can meet perfectly the laws requirement(s) for eternal life, they are just like all men/woman a sinner.

It is our suffering in sin, that bring us to this acknowledgment if we love truth not just in doctrine, but instead whom we are in the inward person before our God YHWH. This is Peters meaning here, because once we get to this point we stop sinning, how? We accept Christ, we walk more in Christ as our sinless life indwelling us. We stop fooling ourselves, by comparing ourselves against other sinful flesh, comparing works, and/or how we saying things, or do things thinking this makes us less sinful. We instead humbly acknowledge we are dead without Christ, we cannot stop sinning in our flesh by works of law, and accept the implanting of the sinless Word of God (Christ Jesus) in our hearts rejoicing in it as the perfect life completing the laws judgment against us.

Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.{NU omits "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"} 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. 8:3 For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Hence, we walk in truth and Spirit, not the flesh, but the mind of Christ which teaches us all things about our Father because we stand righteous in his judgment of us by our faith in Christ life, and not our own. In this way, and in this way alone can we cease from sinning.

1 John 3:5 You know that he was revealed to take away our sins, and in him is no sin.

1 John 3:6 Whoever remains in him doesn't sin. Whoever sins hasn't seen him, neither knows him.

1 John 3:9 Whoever is born of God doesn't commit sin, because his seed remains in him; and he can't sin, because he is born of God.

1Pet.4:3 For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries. 4:4 They think it is strange that you don't run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming: 4:5 who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Here was the problem the apostle Peter address as will as the apostle Paul. When a person is freed from judgment of their flesh, that is, have been put to death in their flesh, accounting it dead in Christ, paying for its crimes against God in sinning. Than raised in Christ into a new life without judgments, does the person have enough appreciation for God's undeserved kindness, which is, having no judgment of their flesh to love God enough not to uses their new freedom from judgment of sin, for righteous works of God?

Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.{NU omits "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"} 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.

Shocking as this is to many Christian's whom legislated judgment of the flesh through rules and laws of the bible created for the wicked, this is what Peter was addressing here, not more laws to judge the flesh. Not the other way around, he addresses a very serious subject Christ is not the author of works of flesh, Christ has dealt with sins in our flesh by putting it to death giving us his life by indwelling of his Spirit. Because we are freed from the judgment of our flesh is not an excuse for a person to act like an ambassador of a county that is immune to its laws and have a party in the flesh.

Rom.8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; 8:7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be.
8:8 Those who are in the flesh can't please God. 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.

Romans 8:10 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

This thinking was becoming prevalent for fleshly members of Christ the very reason their flesh was put to death in Christ is because God does not associated with sins of our flesh, and if they think now they have an excuse to run with the world, because they have no judgment in their newly found freedom in Christ, they were deceived. Rebellious spirits sons whom put on flesh having relationship with woman before the flood; let us remember their flesh was destroyed by God, and their spirit were put into prison. Perhaps, they had similar thinking that God would not judge them being a spirit person, but rather thinking God was judging only humans in their flesh, and not their eternal spirit, they were dead wrong! These needed to sober up, Christ is their righteousness and a force for righteousness not loose conduct in their flesh. Their being freed from the judgment of sin was because of Christ works and not their own.

1Pet.3:18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 3:19 in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, 3:20 who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 3:21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you--not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1Pet.4:6 For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.

1Pet.4:7 But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. 4:8 And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. 4:9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Two thousand's years later the end of the world has not come, but the world Christ spoke to has, and what was that? The world Christ spoke to and preached to was Israel, not the world as we know it, and it came to its end just as Christ said it would by the hand's of the Roman Empire in 70CE. Is the end near for us, let it be said for all real Christian's that is anointed by God's Holy Spirit the end is always near for their life in their flesh upon earth. YHWH can call anyone of them home at his good pleasure, so yes, like a flower our flesh quickly fades, and disappears from this world, like a mist we are here but a moment. God's anointed are purchased with a price for God's glory in the Spirit and not the flesh, the flesh to God is but a tent refuge until he at some point perfect our faith and it is left behind going to the dust of which it came.

2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

2 Corinthians 5:4 For indeed we who are in this tent do groan, being burdened; not that we desire to be unclothed, but that we desire to be clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

But how does love cover a multitude of sins, when legalistic Christ demand payment for sin from others? How does one pay a price with love? where the demands of a religion expect a payment in good works, or public repentance, how does love have anything to do with it? Well, only those anointed by God's Holy Spirit understand they are under God's love, not judgment of their flesh, dead in Christ Jesus, hence, judgment of flesh by laws created for the wicked?

Rom.13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 13:9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet,"{TR adds "You shall not give false testimony,"}{Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deuteronomy 5:17-19,21} and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."{Leviticus 19:18}

1Tim.1:9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

They have been covered once for all times, their flesh does not exist in Christ, it is not accounted against them in God's eyes it is dead! Thus, they must walk not by sight of the flesh, but by Spirit which Spirit is God's Spirit whom is love. So what one law does God have that all spirit person are under the law of love, not the laws of the flesh which God does not need or those in Christ. Simply put, if a brother or sister sins in their flesh God's love in Christ has removed his or hers sin by faith in love. No if they go back to the mundane earth judgment of sinful flesh they are not dead in Christ, but walking in sin and death once again being judging by the same. Here is why many miss Christ words where he said Stop Judging! Our judgment is completed as far as this world is concerned in Christ, but we live on in the flesh having a seed of righteousness indwelling us, and motivating operation towards not sinning, and doing good works in Christ.

1Cor.1:29 that no flesh should boast before God. 1:30 But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

In other words, a child of God is not lawless, nor are they a force for unrighteousness they are factually part of Christ own life whom cannot condone sin or do unrighteousness. But neither is our sinful flesh, which is dead in Christ commending us to God it is our faith in Spirit and truth that is – Christ Jesus which does. This is all the more reason to be hospitable towards each other being we have been freely forgiven our sins by God's love, not by our perfection in meeting laws which declare us what we are sinners. Now if we are freed from God's judgment by His love, why would we enslave our brothers and sisters to God's judgment we could not on our best day free ourselves from?

Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.{NU omits "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"} 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. 8:3 For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; 8:4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 8:6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace.

1Pet.4:10 As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.

How can one be a good manager of a gift, and/or some talent when they cannot see another person gift? In other words, the apostle Peter here is not saying we should manage someone else gift by our superior position we may think we have earned. But instead learn to manage our own gift in Christ. However, in worldly management the manager has earned their position, and puts others into a position under them, making them fit into a job needed done; most often the person isn't even best qualified for the position, It is the work needed to be done which is most important.

Rom.12:3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.
12:4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Many Christian's groups do the same, making all preachers, or teachers; teaching seems to be the one gift all desire, none other seem to matter but teachings. Than they place managers over others fitting them all into same job which becomes more important than the person gift. However, Peter says gift and management of God's children all come from grace, or undeserved kindness, so one gift cannot have more importance than another if its given as a gift, and is not earned by study, or years in a certain religious group. Subsequently, if a person does not stay in God's grace understanding the truth of undeserved kindness how could they know if they themselves have a gift let alone see one in someone else? In other words, if a person is so busy pushing fellow Christian's into a perceived mold, they themselves might become guilty of trampling upon undeserved kindness of God.

Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let's also walk by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.

Does anyone like consorting with their liver, would they like to take it out and show it to their friends, or their heart, or kidneys? But without the function of those body parts the rest of the body could not exist. There are less comely parts of our own body, so are we fixing them by human management into something more comely, or denying them by the power of human logic? There are unattractive parts within in our own body we may not want to show off? Subsequently, once we separated people into division of placement we have taken a position as God, not as a body member functioning as one body factually does.

1 Corinthians 10:17 Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.

The division among body members can only say one thing, and what is that? They are not of the same body? That should not be a hard thing to know if all are under grace, or unmerited kindness? Hence, where there is division one would have to be under another body, a body with a fleshly mind, having the works of the flesh, not the works of undeserved kindness found in Christ mind. In other words, within the body of Christ the person is a member by the will of Christ they are not placing themselves into a position it is given by grace. However, within the body of flesh it is a competition where the person assumes a position by some talent they have work for in their own flesh.

1 Corinthians 12:25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

1 Corinthians 13:3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing.

Simply put, when the head gives direction its not offensive, or hurtful, or even foreign to a body members if they are of the same body, lead by the Spirit of the body, but where a fleshly mind gives direction the members of Christ can't obey the head of another body, how could that happen even in our own body? Hence, how can a body member of Christ make a member of a another body part of the Christ? When they themselves are under undeserved kindness? Well, than by what power? How does one change flesh into Spirit, by the power of persuasion, the power of legal deductions, the power of biblical methodology? Let God be found true and all men liars!

Ephesians 4:16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.

1Pet.4:11 If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

There is transgression in many words, today as back during Peter's time people spoke many words causing fires which destroys the lives and faith's of others. The apostle Peter gives us the remedy, two ways both intimately connected.

John 14:24 He who doesn't love me doesn't keep my words. The word which you hear isn't mine, but the Father's who sent me.

John 8:47 He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don't hear, because you are not of God."

Isaiah 59:21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, says Yahweh: my Spirit who is on you, and my words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor out of the mouth of your seed, nor out of the mouth of your seed's seed, says Yahweh, from henceforth and forever.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Don't be rash with your mouth, and don't let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Ecclesiastes 10:14 A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?

One, let it be what we speak is from God's word, in this case most of God word the bible was not available congregations God, let alone mankind in general, so what are we talking about here? The Word which richly indwelt each anointed Christian's Christ Jesus as God's Word. Let them speak by Spirit and be lead by Spirit not sinning with their tongues from the fleshly mind, and point two.

2 Timothy 2:14 Remind them of these things, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they don't argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

God does not supply fleshly thinking, or speculation to the body of Christ the Spirit in us is the truth and speaks the truth, because God is not glorified in untruths, he is not glorified by flesh; for an exulted thing of the flesh is abomination to God, the wisdom of this world is nothing to God. Human philosophy, human rule, nor science is going to save this world these brothers and sisters were saved in Christ, not in some speculation about end-times prophecies, but Christ if they maintain themselves in Christ and not the love of the world.

Luke 16:15 He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Today as back than Christian's engage in all manner of debate and arguments not related to the Christ at all, like entertainment they make up stories and tag Christ name to them for a feel good emotional feelings only to find themselves in endless debates dividing and destroying the faith of others in hating religion and religious people. Some spend a life time researching and debating prophecies of the bible, but have not come past basic truths of Christ only to be insulted when foundations teachings are brought up. Most of what Christ apostles taught were not deep things of Christ, but the love of Christ and how its operated in those loving truth.

1Cor.13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing.

Rom.12:3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.

Rom.14:13 Therefore let's not judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block in his brother's way, or an occasion for falling.

1Pet.4:12 Beloved, don't be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. 4:13 But because you are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.

Many Christian's read the apostle Peters words here and have a perfunctory thought of persecution when someone says hurtful things about them because they are trying to be a Christian's, but is this Peters meaning here? No! Peter speaks to the core of each anointed Christian's indwelt with Christ Jesus righteous life, he is not speaking about words on paper, but instead the living person of Christ indwelling an anointed follower. Each anointed follower of Christ is in Christ, and Christ in them by Holy Spirit as his body members. The life of the body of Christ is Christ life in doing Christ will upon earth.

Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

1 Corinthians 4:10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor.

Philippians 1:29 Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf.

1 Corinthians 12:26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.

Such is the persecution of Christ in the flesh upon this earth found in his body members right now and today. Its not a future great tribulation, before living a happy peaceful life prior to the coming tribulation; tribulation is a state for those anointed with God's Spirit because the world and its spirit is opposed to Christ and hates the spirit indwelling each anointed Christian's.

John 15:18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.

John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

1 John 3:13 Don't be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

The amount of tribulation for Christ body members increases and decreases, but its always present which perfects their faith in God's love. Sadly, many in the flesh look with excitement to a time when world events will come to a head and Christian's will be persecuted, but not so with the members of the body of Christ who have been under judgment and tribulation in the flesh for two-thousands years. Nothing is strange in their war of flesh against spirit to an anointed Christian's, it is the same fight Christ had in his flesh for God's glory, Christ is not absent upon earth when it comes to suffering, he is here living - indwelling each member of his body upon earth.

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling.

Galatians 4:29 But as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?

2 Corinthians 3:3 being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, served by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.
1Cor.10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we don't wage war according to the flesh; 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, 10:5 throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ; 10:6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience will be made full. 10:7 Do you look at things only as they appear in front of your face? If anyone trusts in himself that he is Christ's, let him consider this again with himself, that, even as he is Christ's, so also we are Christ's.

Nor should an anointed follower think it strange this world does not work for them, as it does nominal Christian's? they should know that the ruler of this world hates the light in them, they should know instead of living in a state of confusion as to why they are receiving different treatment than others, believing in a happy prosperous life on earth, but instead they are in a full fledged war not with flesh, and blood, but spirit(s) in powerful dark places that will not relent until they conquerors the light in them by every means of cunning and transformation of light to put the light of Christ out in them, if it were possible to mislead God's chosen ones?

Ephesians 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Colossians 2:15 having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Rom. 8:36 Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."{Psalm 44:22} 8:37 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 12:17 The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, who keep God's commandments and hold Jesus' testimony.

1Pet.4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.

Sadly, it is seldom that most Christian's actually suffer because of Christ, many suffer for being harsh and judgmental sticking their nose into other peoples business trying through some political leader to change the world but hardly for Christ. God Holy Spirit rest upon Christian's they are full of good fruits and blessings and not cursing for others, they mind their own business living a quite and peaceful life, and preach a positive message of hope the, Kingdom of Christ.

Rom.12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. 12:18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. 12:19 Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."{Deuteronomy 32:35} 12:20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head."{Proverbs 25:21-22} 12:21 Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

When one is persecuted and insulted for this conduct than the insult and persecution is for Christ, and brings glory to Christ name for good. But where Christian's are just as contentious as the world acting like the world than they are not of Christ and their persecution and insults are for evil and wicked conduct not found in Christ. Many blasphemed the Christ not understanding why he did what he did and taught what he taught, Christ prayed for them, and forgave them their sins of ignorance, he did not judge them.

1 Corinthians 11:16 But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do God's assemblies.

Titus 3:2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.

Upon Christ torturous death he ask His Heavenly Father to forgive their sins, unlike so many mean spirited Christian's today living and praying for the death of their enemies, such conduct is not of Christ, nor when insulted and persecuted for such hateful conduct towards other should one be surprised the same unkindness comes back to them. Christ warned each of us that what every measure we measure out in judgment it would be given black in judgment, he said the solution was in our stop judging. None of us like unfairness, if such is the supreme case for a person claiming to be a Christian's their lives will be miserable because there is nothing fair about being a Christian's, Christ was hated for his righteousness, and we as Christian's have the life of Christ in us. Hence, we must enter into the Kingdom of God through much tribulation in this world.

Luke 21:17 You will be hated by all men for my name's sake.

John 15:18 If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.

John 15:24 If I hadn't done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn't have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father.

Luke 18:17 Most certainly, I tell you, whoever doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a little child, he will in no way enter into it."

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

1Pet.4:15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men's matters. 4:16 But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.

For Christian's there is suffering and than there is suffering for righteousness sake, that is, for God's Kingdom in Christ. This distinction should be obvious to all, being a busy body in peoples lives, in doing evil deeds, or a thief, even a murderer is not suffering for the Christ. Those types of deeds have been practice since Christ, and condoned by human's using God's word the bible. When a religion polices their members or even kills them for not obeying rules of the group, destroying spiritual lives by kicking people out in the name of God and Christ they are not suffering for righteousness stake.

Matt.5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor,{Leviticus 19:18} and hate your enemy.{not in the Bible, but see Qumran Manual of Discipline Ix, 21-26}' 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, 5:45 that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.

Suffering for the Christ is to be indwelt with Christ by God's Holy Spirit meaning walking in love, practicing love for neighbor where one is not meddling in their lives, it is not policing members of a religious group to see if they are sinning. Walking in love is free, its owns know one a single thing but love. It believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. One can't be a meddler and walk in love. This is the righteousness of Christ defined for us in his holy words that we should love those persecuting us, we should not return evil for evil, we should pray for those that our enemies.

James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.
3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth.
3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

These are those seeking and searching for the righteousness of Christ they do not look to be better than someone else in the flesh, they look to be like Christ whom is seated above in the Spirit and truth, they do not think they can right every wrong on earth and know without doubt because of the love God, and being indwelt with Christ precious life working in them, and through them, they will suffer for him. When false religion turn to judging by laws of the flesh the spiritual lives of Christ brothers made righteous because of his life, and not their own, they become practicers of many evils, but not the Christ. If we suffer let it be for doing good, for walking in love, for giving freely and than we are glorifying the person that has saved us from our sins, Christ Jesus.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
3:2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. 3:3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,
3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 3:6 whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; 3:7 that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1Pet.4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Good News of God?

What judgment is the house of God under? Who is the house of God, and why is God judging it? The house of God is the anointed body of Christ Jesus and its members therein. Is Christ under judgment, that is, his intimate body member loved and cherished by Christ its head? Many that are legalistic Christian's have concluded so, but those in the body of Christ understand they are not under judgment, and/or God 's wrath in Christ Jesus for judgment to happen it must condemn some actions of the person, but according to the apostle Paul's words under Holy Spirit there is not judgment for God's anointed.

John 3:36 One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys{The same word can be translated "disobeys" or "disbelieves" in this context.} the Son won't see life, but the wrath of God remains on him."

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's wrath through him.

Ephesians 2:3 among whom we also all once lived in the lust of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.{NU omits "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"}

The judgment of God's anointed had occurred by pronouncing their flesh as dead in Christ. In other words, God's law for thousand's of years did not prove false, all flesh is judged sinful, convicted of such and the death sentence pronounced upon it. That judgment started with Adam and was passed on to all mankind, the law simply defined, convicted, and proved God righteous, and all human under sin as unrighteous. The laws proof was its salvation for remission of sins the blood spelled for sin, this was the witness condemning proof all human under the law were under judgment and God's wrath without blood for remission of sin so they could stand right and/or righteous before God, they had no judgment temporarily, until the next years atonement.

James 2:12 So speak, and so do, as men who are to be judged by a law of freedom.

James 4:11 Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Hebrews 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near.

Hebrews 7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Ephesians 2:15 having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace;

But what is the apostle Peter speaking of here? In context Peter speaks to the suffering for Christian's which suffering is caused by them being in the flesh upon earth, by their own falling, and the flesh of other human mislead into persecuting them as Christian's, this judgment is on going, a judgment that started at the founding of our word when Satan seed attacks God's seed, one being of this world, that is, fleshly, and the other of God's being in Christ as Spirit and truth. This war was raging at Peters time a judgment upon the house of God, and will end when Christ comes and takes out the wheat from the weeds at the end of this world. Many have falsely stated this judgment is God's wrath against His own children anointed in Christ, but there is no wrath against those God no longer judges because of his Son righteousness. The wrath against God's servant is the Devils causing a perfecting of their faith in God, and his Son Christ Jesus, the same suffering the Christ himself under went for righteousness sake. Now when this judgment is over, and comes upon all flesh not declared dead to sin, how will they stand if the righteous is being saved in this condition of suffering with difficulty, that is, those in Christ declared righteous not by their righteousness, but by Christ, how will they stand?

1Pet.4:18 "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?"{Proverbs 11:31}

1 Timothy 1:7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.

1 John 4:17 In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world.

Romans 5:16 The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.

1Pet.4:19 Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.

Suffering is never easy rather your a Christian's or not, but it is a fact of being a Christian's. Many have the idea that once a Christian's, a person going to have a blessed and prosperous life, and if they suffer they are not faithful to God. In other words, they have it one-hundred and eighty degrees backwards. Let none of us be fooled suffering is part and partial of being a Christian's, but why?

Romans 5:3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance.

1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God.

John 17:23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.

Because in a Christian's dwells the life of Christ Jesus, his righteousness is the light to this world, and Satan and his ruler-ship of this world hates the light of the truth. Christ is the truth, he is the crown King of Eternity that will bring the end of Satan's system of things to nothing. How rare is the true light, it is so rare that the sheep and goats didn't know when they had done good or bad to Christ brothers? It is so rare its a fine pearl that only a few find.

1 John 3:13 Don't be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

1 John 4:5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.

John 17:16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.

Our world is full of evil, an evil which is justified for some good an institution and/or a government is doing or wanting to do for mankind this is the standard of Satan world, and his system of things. But not so with God there is no evil in Christ administration to gather the things in the heavens and upon the earth, there are no bad fruits on his tree of life. Hence, a true Christian's than will suffer for bearing the fruits of Christ, and preaching the Kingdom of God. There is no dwelling between light and darkness, one must go, and the other will stand to time indefinite, the bears of light will suffer for righteousness sake, they will be persecuted for the Kingdom of God, they will be attacked daily for truth and righteousness. But let them not fear, for God is faithful, and has given us the eternal life in Christ Jesus.

John 10:28 I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.

Let us hold-fast to this truth in which Satan is always trying to steal through self-righteousness in earning merit into the Kingdom of God through false religion in promoting a prosperous blessed life without suffering in our flesh. Let us walk by faith, for faith is assured expectation of the things not beheld by sight. Our suffering is not in-vain, it is for a must greater profound purpose than a few short years of trouble and tribulation in our flesh upon this earth. It is for the eternal good of God's name in setting creation free from the corruption of evil of sin in mankind, have faith!

Rom.8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; 8:17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. 8:19 For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 8:20 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope
8:21 that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. 8:23 Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body. 8:24 For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?
8:25 But if we hope for that which we don't see, we wait for it with patience.

Completed on: May 6, 2014

by: Daniel a Slave of Christ Jesus