1 Pet 4:5,6   But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Possibly the greatest deception that exists within humanity is the belief that we are free agents, people who stand alone, and we can do what we like with no effect. We believe we can exercise our will for our purpose or our pleasure and it will have no effect. Now such a belief cannot be further from the truth!

Our verses start off with another of those ‘link' words we often talk about – “But” which suggests that there is now an alternative viewpoint or another aspect to be considered in respect of what has been said before. The “they” referring back to the previous verses means, “pagans …. living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. …. and they heap abuse on you.” (v.3,4). These people, says Peter, are going to “have to give account.” When you give account for something it means you have to face it, acknowledge it, explain it, and own it. You are going to have to accept that whatever it is, is down to you!

Now perhaps the most serious aspect is to whom you are going to have to give account. Obviously in every day life, it is a person in authority – a parent, a teacher, a magistrate. Here it is God and Peter describes God as “him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” God, he says is a judge.

The apostle James also referred to God in this way: “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge.” (Jas 4:12) and went on to warn, “Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!” (Jas 5:9). A Judge is one who weighs up the evidence and passes sentence on the guilty. The writer to the Hebrews wrote similarly: “You have come to God, the judge of all men.” (Heb 12:23). The apostle Paul spoke similarly: “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Tim 4:8).

All of these leaders recognised God in this way, as the One who was going to face up each and every individual with their life, and then pass sentence. The disbelief of this is the greatest of deceptions, that makes people think they can get away with it. Satan's first recorded temptation was exactly in line with this: “You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman.” (Gen 3:4), i.e. it will be all right. It won't!

But there is a strange part to these verses. Peter says that God judges the living and the dead. Indeed he goes on to say, “For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead.” Peter had used this same language when he was preaching in the house of Cornelius: “He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead .” (Acts 10:42 ). Paul taught something similar: “For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living .” (Rom 14:9) and “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead.” (2 Tim 4:1)

Commentators have struggled with these words, some declaring the interpretation means literally dead physically and others spiritually dead. We believe ‘spiritually' dead is inappropriate, because initially, before conversion, all are spiritually dead. The NIV interpreters have inserted the word ‘now' to emphasise the sense of the original Greek which either means they heard the Gospel and subsequently died, or they died and then heard the Gospel. The big question seems to be whether Jesus went to the souls of the dead when he died on the Cross as seems a possibility. The only thing is that Jesus' teaching was that once dead there was no way of ‘crossing over to salvation (see the parable of Lazarus (see Lk 16:19 -). If, therefore Jesus did preach the good news to the souls of the dead, it would simply to be confirm that even there they would not heed that good news and would confirm God's justice. However, we tend to feel that in the light of what follows, it is probable that Peter meant that they heard the Gospel and yet still died physically. Death, he is saying, isn't the end!

But then there is sometimes confusion over the next part of the verse: “so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.” Possibly the most sensible understanding of this is that, in line with all else Peter has been saying about persecution, non-Christian human beings may write off Christians who they martyr, but the Christians are saved in eternity by God, i.e. men may kill their bodies but God saves their spirit for eternity. The Gospel brings eternal life and so the mortal life may be cut short but that doesn't stop the individual receiving ongoing eternal life. The Message version has v.6 well: “Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus.” That is the truth; it doesn't matter what man might do to us, our future is secure in Christ. Hallelujah!

1 Pet 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray

Living in the West in the early twenty-first century, one could perhaps be excused for NOT being clear minded, for we are bombarded with information and opinions from every media outlet possible. Youth magazines portray a particular culture and it is a strong young person who dares fly in the face of that culture. Magazines and newspapers all portray a particular view or culture and the unwary will find their mind being shaped by those. TV, films and subsequently videos (not to mention the whole music industry), all convey lifestyles that are godless and often unrighteous. And all of these things impact our minds. The government carefully manages its agenda through the media to persuade the public to their way of thinking (which may or may not be right) and so it is no surprise that many people live in a state of confusion.

And then Peter calls upon Christians to be “clear minded.” The mind is where the battle is waged and the tactic of the enemy is to confuse and sow doubts. No wonder so many young Christians don't know where to draw a line in the sand and so find themselves still living like occupants of the dominion of darkness rather than citizens of the kingdom of the Son. The call to be clear minded is to first of all to be clear in your basic beliefs. If we are a Christian, can we state basic beliefs about Jesus, God and our salvation? But it is also a call to have understanding. We aren't to just accumulate facts of our salvation, we are to understand why things work as they do, why God calls us to a certain path and why is it dangerous to walk a different path. But there is also the matter of the will. Unless we are completely committed to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we will find ourselves prey to the enemy's attacks. In all of these ways we are to be clear minded.

But Peter doesn't leave it there; he also calls us to be “self-controlled.” Self control is about being able to determine your own actions and not get carried away by desires. We are not to be those driven by desires or emotions. Our control starts in our mind but is then worked out as we direct our body to do things or not do things. We shouldn't make excuses here, for the New Testament is quite clear: “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.” (Jas1:13,14). If we allow our minds to feed on wrong thoughts, it is no wonder that Satan can help them to come to fruition by us succumbing to wrong desires. If we read novels involving sex or we watch films with plenty of sex in, no wonder our minds will dwell on sex and when a sexual temptation comes along we are then all the more vulnerable to it. Watch you mind, watch what you see and read, watch what you think and feel otherwise you are vulnerable to a fall which may result in your destruction!

Now at the end of this verse Peter provides a motivation to do these things: “The end of all things is near.” Now this was the often felt belief in the early church that the kingdom of God would come and God would wind up this earth soon. Well, two thousand years later He still hasn't, but it is still a good warning, because we just don't know when He will do it! Whether He will wait for another two thousand years, or whatever, the truth is that God is going to one day wind up all things, but more than that we all live with a limited life span and one of these days we ARE going to have to stand before Him and account for the lives we have lived. If Jesus is our Lord and Saviour we need not fear that time, but if he is not, then there is genuinely something to be feared if not dreaded! There WILL come a time of accounting is what Peter is warning us, to help us check our thinking and our behaviour in God's sight.

But that is about the future and at the end of the verse Peter gives us another motivation or encouragement: “so that you can pray.” i.e. the way we think and the way we behave dictates our ability to pray and talk to God. Now prayer is the most wonderful privilege we have, this access to God, but if we are confused in our thinking or if our behaviour is more appropriate to the dominion of darkness, then it is obvious that we will neither feel like praying, nor be able to pray, and that means we are in isolation from God, feeling alone and vulnerable.

These are very simple but very practical exhortations that Peter gives us. They should be easy to understand and easy to put into practice. May that be so!

1 Pet 4:8-10 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

In today's jaded world, people look for what is real and what is good but, often, with no hope of finding it. Now that is sad because Jesus said to the Christian community, “You are the salt of the earth ….You are the light of the world …. let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:13-16) i.e. display God's goodness in such a way that the world sees and knows that you are His and it is His power, His strength, His grace shining through you.

Peter started off this chapter with, “Christ … arm yourselves also with the same attitude…live the rest of his earthly life …. for the will of God.” (v.1,2) He digressed to speak about our past lives and how the world lives, but now he is speaking out the will of God for our lives, how the Lord wants us to live as His children, being salt and displaying His light. He has just said “be clear minded and self controlled” and we noted this was all about how we think and then how we act. So now he lists various ways that we can express our Christian lives – love, offer hospitality and serve. Let's examine each of these three things he places before us.

He starts out, “Above all.” i.e. THE most important thing is that we love one another deeply. Because some of these words are so familiar, it is perhaps wise to seek to put content to them. Love might be defined as warm affection, attachment, liking, benevolence or strong benign feelings for others or, as the Bible portrays it, selfless, sacrificial, unrestricted good will towards all others. Now Peter says we are to make this the number one expression of our Christian lives and to do it ‘deeply'!

But he also gives us a reason or motivating force to encourage us to live like this: “because love covers a multitude of sins.” That is a phrase that has found its way into common usage because it is so apt. This recognises that each one of us is imperfect and the truth is that we will get it wrong. Now as far as God is concerned that is covered: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (1 Jn 2:1) That is about how Jesus responds when we fail and then come back to him in repentance. Today's verse covers how we are to cope with, or deal with, one another when one or other of us blows it. Love! Love still hangs on in there for that other person. Our love means we forgive them, we seek to understand them, accept them and feel for them and not condemn them for ‘love covers a multitude of sins'!

But then he gives another way that we can build fellowship, build the church and reveal the love of God: “Offer hospitality to one another.” Hospitality is about opening our home to care for and bless others. Hospitality builds relationships, builds friendships and provides opportunity for coming closer and for sharing and caring. But, says Peter, do it without grumbling. Why might we grumble over giving hospitality? We may grumble because we see it as a duty and not as an expression of our grace. The apostle Paul taught, “Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality . ” (Rom 12:13 ) Hospitality, in his mind at least, was closely linked with helping and blessing those who were not as well off as you.

Then, as he lets his mind drift on past this, Peter adds, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.” Now whether we think of ‘gift' as a spiritual gift or simply some ability, the message is the same: use it to bless others. Come with the attitude of a servant whose desire is to bless others. If we do this we will be faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. i.e. we will be using the grace that God provides for us – in whatever form it comes – to bless others, build the church, and reach out with the love of God.

These are all very positive, outward looking instructions. They take our minds off ourselves and focus on bringing blessing to other people. When Peter had said, “The end of all things is near,” (v.7) we might think that this is a time for focusing on our own lives and our own well-being, but the apostle doesn't allow that. No, in whatever days we have left, be outward looking, seek to love others, offer hospitality, use what you have to serve and bless others, take whatever grace gives you – and pass it on! There is no space here for self indulgence. No, this is all about using the time and using the resources God gives you to bless others and reveal the Father. May it be like that!

1 Pet 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Speaking and doing. There are echoes of verse 7 here: “be clear minded and self-controlled.” where we said it was about thinking and then doing. Here it is about speaking and doing. But note that this is a continuation of verse 10 : “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” These are the expressions of the ‘gifts' we have.

Seen in that context the speaking that is referred to here is to be seen as a gift from God and an expression of the Lord and so if we are someone who has the privilege of being in a position in the church where we speak publicly, we should recognise the honour and the responsibility that is ours and we should recognise that if we are motivated, energized, inspired and directed by the Lord in this ministry, what we are bringing is to be seen as the very word of God. That is a very high calling! I wonder how many of us who are either preachers or teachers, see it in this way? There is an implied challenge here to be careful as to what we say, and to seek the Lord before we open our mouths. for we will be answerable to Him.

Now there is something else involved in this. Jesus said, “out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks,” (Lk 6:45 ) i.e. what comes out of our mouths is a reflection of what is in our hearts. If our hearts are given over to God, that will be observed when we speak. If we are still self-centred and not God-centred, that also will be revealed. We will, in other words, only speak the words of God if we are filled with God and given over to God. How we are with God will be observed in the words we speak. The preacher and teacher cannot help but reveal their spiritual state when they speak – and that is a real challenge!

But it isn't only our words; it is also what we do, our serving. Is doing and serving the same thing? No, ‘doing' can be self-centred or simply an expression of self. Serving is doing for the benefit of others. Serving is done as a purposeful act of the will to bless other people, something we choose to do. Now not everyone has come to the place of desiring to be a servant, even though Jesus calls us to it: “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Mt 20:26) There is an implication there that followers of Jesus will want to grow, develop, get on, and to achieve great things but, says Jesus, they only can do that by becoming a servant, by having a servant attitude. Serving is an expression of maturity so, according to Peter, if you have reached the level of maturity where you desire to be a servant, “do it with the strength that God provides.” In other words, if you are going to be God's servant, you can only do it with His strength. Working (or serving) is hard and tiring and so to be able to continue doing it, you will need God's ongoing strength, which will mean waiting on Him for it (see Isa 40:28-31)

Now there is an outworking to all this and it has been hinted at by Peter more than a few times: “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” We do what we do so that God will be revealed and glorified. Peter started praising God in Chapter 1 for having “given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1:3) In chapter 2 he spoke of us having been called so that we “may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (2:9) He then continued, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (2:12). In chapter 3 he put it slightly differently: “in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” ( 3:15 ) but the end is the same – praise to Him. And that brings us here to chapter 4 with, “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (v.11).

The ultimate goal? “To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” When that happens, truth is being observed. Any glory is due to Him and only Him, for any power is His and so whatever we say or do is to be an expression of the life of the Spirit of Jesus within us, and that will always glorify the Father. Speaking of his own glory, Jesus said, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me,” (Jn 8:54 ) i.e. any glory we have comes from the Father and belongs to the Father. Near the end of the Last Supper Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.” (Jn 13:31) i.e. Jesus will be glorified through his death and resurrection and that will glorify the Father. This was made even more clear in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus prayed , “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (Jn 17:1)

In all of this we see that the outworking of Jesus' life was to glorify or reveal the wonder of the Father. It is the wonder of the Father's character that is being revealed, the wonder of His thinking and His planning and His love for mankind. Everything flows from and returns to God the Father. Jesus executed His will in a human body, and the Holy Spirit continues to do it in and through Christians today. That is where you and I come in! May He be glorified in us!

1 Pet 4:12-14  Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

There is a phrase that has crept into usage in recent days which is applicable here. It is reference to “the elephant in the room”. Essentially it means there is something massive in the background that is there but which we are ignoring. Persecution is like that in the Western world. In the Western world, in which I live and write, we know very little of real persecution. Yes, there have been cases of people being told that they will not wear a cross while at work and other silly things like that. That is silly from both sides – silly from those who impose such mundane and petty strictures and silly from those who give credibility to such people by getting upset about it. Yes, there has been the nurse disciplined for praying over a patient, but again we are moving into the silly zone. Let's recognise that there is a godless majority out there but the call to us to be salt and light means that we display goodness in such a manner that it takes the breath away! Goodness, when it is seen, won't be just the occasional act but will be a way of life that creates envy!

All of these things are shown for their insignificance when you come across many places in the world where there is outright persecution of anyone deigning to be a Christian and, even more, seeking to share it. Persecution is alive and well throughout the world even if some of us in more liberal nations escape the brunt of it. For us it tends to be abuses of so-called tolerance in the name of political correctness; for them it means death or imprisonment.

It is like that now and it always has been. In the early centuries of the life of the Christian Church, persecutions came and went at the dictates of the current Roman emperor. Some were terrible, some less so. In Peter's day it was alive and well. In fact he was on the rough end of it at one point (see Acts 12) and the belief that his life was ended in crucifixion also testifies to it. But he is a realist. He had heard his master speak on it and so now he sees it as part of life: “do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” Wow! That's a poke in the eye for self-concern. Someone today might say, “Stop crying. What do you expect?” Yes, real persecution is painful. There is nothing romantic about persecution. When people were burnt at the stake that was painful! Yes, the grace of God was there for them to cope, but it was still painful and horrible!

Perhaps we need to remind ourselves of Jesus' basic teaching: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:11 ,12) i.e. where you are persecuted remember you are part of the great family of God that has always been opposed by unbelievers. And, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: `No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (Jn 15:18-20) i.e. as Jesus' servant they will hate you because they hated him. It was part of the teaching of the early leaders. Paul and Barnabas taught, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God .” (Acts 14:22 ) and Paul warned Timothy, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim 3:12).

But Peter comes with a very positive attitude, the same attitude as Jesus: “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed,” i.e. don't get down about it but recognise and rejoice in the fact that you are sharing in the same experiences that Christ himself had. Even more than that, when you overcome (by his grace) and come through it, when he is revealed (either in it through you, or when he returns) you will have great joy. It's tough while it lasts, but it will bring a harvest of joy eventually.

But he pushes this positive attitude even further: “ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you,” i.e. when you suffer these insults and worse, you will find that God's very presence will be there for you and you will experience His glory in the power of His Spirit. The Lord will not leave you alone. As many have been able testify, when they walked through their darkest hours, the presence of God was the most real that they had ever experienced. This is the Lord who said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you .” (Heb 13:5 & Deut 31:6) and who makes good His promise, especially at times of pressure from the enemy in the form of persecution. He is there and His grace is sufficient. Hallelujah!

1 Pet 4:15-16   If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Righteous suffering or unrighteous suffering; that is what these two verses are about. Oh, not more on suffering and persecution, you might be thinking. I'm afraid yes, because that is what Peter does – he says more about it, more to help us. We said in the previous meditation that suffering and persecution are the ‘the elephant in the room', being there in the background of Western Christianity, there but ignored mostly. But for Peter it cannot be ignored for it is a very real element in the life of the early Church.

Back in chapter 2, speaking about slaves and the possibility of them suffering unjustly, he said something similar to what we now find here: “For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?” ( 2:19 ,20) i.e. it is good to bear up well under persecution when you have done no wrong, but if you are suffering because you have done wrong, there is no credit in that!

So now, in these present verses, he says something very similar. He sets up two groups of people and differentiates between them. The first group is made up of those who have done wrong: “a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.” Each of these people interfere with and harm others, from a murderer at one end of the spectrum to a gossiping busybody upsetting people at the other end. Frankly, he implies, these people deserve trouble. There is nothing commendable about getting into trouble for doing wrong.

Now we may think that this is a very minor bit of teaching but I wonder how many times Christians are unwise or foolish in their speech or behaviour and were not being Christ-like, but then bemoan the fact that they have received opposition or censure? How many times have we spoken arrogantly into the world and then been surprised when we have received hostile reactions in return? This is, in fact, a very significant piece of teaching and Peter says similar things elsewhere. Do you remember back in chapter 3 he said, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect , keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Pet 3:15,16) That is a very significant teaching. Be ready with answers when you are questioned but make sure your answers come in gentleness and with respect so you give people no grounds to judge you, and if they do it will be them who are in the wrong, not you! We really do need to think about these things when the scripture exhorts us to be salt and light. The way we do it is crucial!

But he moves on: “However” i.e. by contrast, if you get opposition and suffer simply for being a Christian, that is something else! “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed.” The implication in the light of what has just gone is, shame on you if you do wrong when you say you are a Christian, but if you are living the Christ-life, full of grace and truth (Jn 1:14) and you then get opposition, you do not need to feel bad, you do not need to feel ashamed. You haven't ‘let the side down', you have just received opposition from the enemy which is opposition to goodness. As we saw previously, it happened to Jesus and so it will happen to us. When it does (as long as you have given no grounds for it) don't feel ashamed or guilty or bad about it. People get upset when they are shown up.

When Stephen started his final speech it was recorded, “All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:15 ) That was amazing. However, examine Peter's preaching on the day of Pentecost and Stephen's denunciations in chapter 7 and we find a distinct difference. Both men brought the truth and Peter saw tremendous fruit, but Stephen hit them in the face with their failure and gave them no time to think through the truth of what he was saying. His ‘in-your-face' challenges simply stirred their unrighteous anger. Was he wise in doing it like that? Saul (who became Paul) stood there unmoved and it was only a direct encounter with Jesus that changed him. The account of Stephen is there in all its clarity, but is it there as a lesson on how not to do it, I wonder?

There is a difference between holding onto your beliefs in the face of challenge, and stuffing them down someone's throat ungraciously. Peter's earlier words about speaking with gentleness and respect, linked in with our verses above, should perhaps give us some grounds to think carefully and honestly. May we do that!

1 Pet 4:17-19 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good

Talk about judgment coming on the church might send us into a nervous breakdown! Surely we say, Jesus has died to deal with all our sins and so there is no condemnation, no guilt and no punishment. Well, absolutely right in eternal terms but Scripture is clear that Christians still have to live with the consequences of what they do or don't do. Paul's declaration that “A man reaps what he sows,” applies to us as much as to the world. We should be sowing righteousness and reaping its rewards.

If we are foolish and doing silly or wrong things, we will reap the same things as the world. A good example would be a young Christian who gets swept up with the mentality of the world and so has sex with a number of partners, as is common behaviour in the world. That Christian should not then be upset when they catch a sexually transmitted disease. Similarly a person who does not allow the Lord to deal with their unrestrained anger should not be surprised when that anger breaks loose and ends up with them in a fight and in police cells. The same is true of the Christian who is unrestrained in their drinking habits and likewise ends up in police cells. These are all simple and obvious examples of silly Christians who have not realised that Jesus will not cover up their ongoing sin, but will in fact, deal with it.

‘Judgment' is simply an act of God to remedy a bad situation. At the extreme end (in our view at least) it may involve death. At the other end of the spectrum it may simply involve corrective discipline that makes the sinner face up to their foolish behaviour and then change it. In the New Testament, the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira would fit the description of judgment. Did they lose their eternal destiny? There is no indication of that; simply that they were taken home prematurely. The apostle Paul had to chide the church in Corinth for their behaviour at communion and concluded, “For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep,” (1 Cor 11:29 ,30) which was a gentle way of saying that some of them had died because of their behaviour! He was saying, you have brought God's corrective action on yourselves!

So now we come to Peter speaking prophetically about what is about to happen in the church: “it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God.” Things are about to happen which are at the instigation of God to bring about a fresh sense of righteousness and holiness in the church. God is coming to do a cleaning up in the church! (And that is nothing to do with dusting the pews!) The Lord is about to draw a marker in the sand and say, there are standards to be adhered to if you call yourself a Christian! Live accordingly! Some commentators point out that the preposition is actually ‘from' not ‘with'. i.e. judgment starts from, but I can see no difference in the outcome. The Lord brings correction and works outwards from the Church.

A little later, he confirms this viewpoint with the words, “And, If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,” which seems a quote from the Greek Old Testament, “If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!” (Prov 11;31) but it is still a warning about what is about to start with the Church. Yes, it is also a warning to the world for, “what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And .... what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" If God is going to discipline and make an example of His Church, what will He do to unrepentant unbelievers? World, you need to think about this!

But then he brings it back to the subject of suffering through persecution: “So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” It would seem that the discipline to bring cleansing and purification is, in fact, going to come in the form of persecution. One has to admit, observing the church around the world, that those countries where persecution of Christians prevails seem to have a healthier church. It is a sad thing if the church can only be holy, righteous and pure when persecution and opposition are experienced, but that so often seems to be the case.

Does God bring the persecution? No, He simply steps back and allows the sinfulness of mankind and the work of Satan, to prevail unrestrained. He uses that persecution to purify the church; that much is obvious. How much better it would be if we had the sense to put the house in order ourselves, without having to be pressurized into it by the Lord's corrective processes.

1 Pet 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed

Peter now seems to move on to speak to specific groups within the church at large. The word ‘elder' here should not be thought of as referring simply to an old man, but in fact to the role of a leader in the church. We note reference to them a number of times in the New Testament, for example, “From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.” (Acts 20:17 ) to whom he gives the charge, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28,29) Thus we see the designation, ‘elder' and their role as ‘overseer' or ‘shepherd'. In fact this is exactly the same as Peter does here in the first two verses of the chapter: “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers.” (1 Pet 5:1,2) We'll consider the shepherding role of function the next meditation. The role of the elder we thus see is to be a shepherd or overseer of the flock, one who watches over and guards the flock. However, Peter is going to focus on one particular facet of that function as we shall see in a moment.

But note first that Peter describes himself as “a fellow elder”. In this he identifies himself with them. At the beginning of the letter he had written differently: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,” (1 Pet 1:1) establishing his authority. Now, however, he comes as a fellow-servant. He knows what it is like to be a leader in the local church; he knows the burdens and the struggles that go on in this servant role. I maintain that no one who has not been in full-time ministry as an elder of the local church can know the burdens and the pressures. The true local shepherd carries the flock on his heart twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Peter identifies with these men.

But then he gives them a twofold designation: “a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed.” The first part of that sentence, “a witness of Christ's sufferings” may have two meanings in Peter's mind. One can't be sure. The fact that he has been speaking so much about suffering and has already spoken about us sharing in Christ's sufferings (see 2:21, 4:1,13) may indicate that when he speaks of a witness of Christ's sufferings, he also means a witness who has been a partaker of those sufferings, i.e. a witness who has not merely watched or known about them, but who has entered into them! But he also may have in mind the fact that leaders are to be upholders of the truths of the Gospel and at the heart of it is the death (suffering) and resurrection of Jesus Christ (see, for example, 1 Pet 1:3-5,10-12,18-23).

The apostle John saw himself as such a witness obviously, when he wrote, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard , which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched --this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it , and we proclaim to you the eternal life.” which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard , so that you also may have fellowship with us.” (1 Jn 1:1-3) This is all the language of a witness and Peter reminds leaders that this is to be one of our primary roles.

But there is more to the calling of an elder for the second part says, “and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed.” Now does this mean the glory of God that will be revealed at the end of time when He makes all things new or is there something more? I believe there is something more and it is for the present. I suggest that it means, when we fulfil our God-given role as leaders, enter into and are witnesses to the wonder of the Gospel, then we will know the wonder of being part of the ongoing plan of God which will be revealed so that the glory of God is seen on the earth. To quote again one of those verses which has cropped up more than once in these meditations: “ let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16 ). When we allow the Lord to lead us, inspire us and empower us, the things that we find ourselves doing will reveal the Lord and His glory. His goodness and love and grace will be seen in us and in what we do and we will experience something of His glorious presence – today!

The work of the Son is to reveal the Father's glory. Jesus said, “This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (Jn 15:8) and “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.” (Jn 14:12,13) There it is: the Father is glorified when we produce much fruit by continuing to do what Jesus had been doing. As we do that we share in the glory that is being revealed. It is all His but we experience it. How wonderful!

1 Pet 5:2-4 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Peter, we saw in the previous meditation, is speaking to elders of the local church, the local leaders. Here he now instructs them to act as shepherds. Whereas “elder” is the designation of position, being a senior member of the local church in a place of oversight, ‘shepherd' is a clearly defined role. We all know what shepherds do – they look after sheep – and if we aren't very clear about it, Peter explains it in quite a lot of detail which every church leader should consider.

The first thing that spiritual shepherds are to realise is that the flock belongs to God. The people of God, the local church, only exist because each one has been born again – as we saw in earlier meditations – and they are each a unique work of God. The apostle Paul, when instructing the Ephesian elders said, “Be shepherds of the church of God , which he bought with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28 ). If you bought something with some of your own blood, it would be very precious to you. The church is precious to God and we need to remember that. This is God's flock we are thinking about.

Next then he states the obvious in his description of this flock: “that is under you care .” If you have been called into the position of leadership we need to realise that it is first of all a position of care. Our role is to care for these people, to look after them. Again Paul warned the Ephesian elders prophetically, “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:29-31) I include those verses in their entirety because they convey the awfulness of what can happen to the local church and the responsibility that local leaders have to prevent such things happening.

He then goes on to say that we do these things as we serve as ‘overseers'. Obviously an overseer sees over the whole flock and should be able to see the landscape surrounding the flock and so be on the alert to pick up any needs within the flock and ward off any attacks coming from outside the flock.

Then he touches the subject of motivation: “not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be.” There should not be a sense of heavy duty about this call but a glad willingness which is a joyful response to seeing the need and sensing the call, which provokes the response, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa 6:8) Indeed, he adds, “not greedy for money, but eager to serve.” This is not a job and money is not to be the motivation; this is a calling to serve God and serve the people of God. The leader of the local church is first and foremost a servant of God. Jesus taught, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mt 20:26-28). But there is another side of this coin: the flock needs to realise that this man is God's servant and as such is both answerable and accountable to Him, but also under His direction and protection. This is a man to be honoured.

But that doesn't mean that the man is put on a pedestal for Peter continues to describe the way of serving: “ not lording it over those entrusted to you.” There is no room for pride, arrogance and any similar thing in a leader in the church, no room for throwing your weight around. This is a calling to humility in service.

Yet this something more in this ‘job description': “being examples to the flock.” The leader is to be someone who goes ahead and who therefore sets an example in life and service for the flock to follow. Paul laid down the criteria for this example giving, in his instructions to Titus: “An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” (Titus 1:6-9) In all those ways he is to be an example for the flock to follow.

And his reward? “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” Jesus will reward this servant in due time in the right way. This is not to say don't pay the man, for Paul speaks strongly about this elsewhere; it just says God will honour this servant in due season. Rest in that. There are many important issues here for the local church. May we heed them!

1 Pet 5:5a Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older.

There are two schools of thought in churches about house groups or cell groups or whatever else you call them. One school separates people according to background, job etc. on the basis that the things they have in common will enable people to open up to each other and relate together better than might otherwise happen. They will also be better at reaching those with similar backgrounds. The other school mixes people up in groups on the basis that we learn from different ages and backgrounds. Both schools have merits. It is useful to focus on the commonalities – which include the unique experiences – of specific age groups or people groups, as well as mixing them up to learn from one another's different experiences. However it is the former thing that comes out here. Peter now gives a simple word of guidance to a specific group – young men.

Interestingly each of the main apostle-writers picked up on young men at various times. Paul encouraged Titus by saying, “encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” (Titus 2:6,7) John in his first letter also wrote, “I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one …… I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (1 Jn 2:13,14). Each of these writers thinks of something that is peculiar or unique to the experience of ‘young men'. For Paul it was the awareness that young men were full of vigour and energy and life which could be poured our in unrighteous, unrestrained, profligate living and so he cautions them to be self-controlled, observers of those who they could emulate well. John was aware similarly of the vigour and energy of young men but who, when they were Christians, could be valiant warriors who oppose the enemy and stand out in their generation.

Peter has a different aspect of being young and vigorous in his thinking. He recognises the tendency in the young, in the fullness of their energy and life, to feel that they are the people for today and it therefore becomes very easy to slip into a way of thinking that despises age. We are after all, they might think, the ones full of energy, the ones who are likely to bring change into this dull world, the ones with fresh new ideas. We are the church of today, the ones who are going to change the church and the world.

Now such thinking is good as long as it is seen within context: you are just part of the body of Christ and perhaps nowhere more than here in matters of youthfulness do Paul's words about being part of a body ring true and need remembering: “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Cor 12:27) and “Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.” (1 Cor 12:14) and “The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!” (1 Cor 12:21)

The tendency of youthfulness is to say, “We don't need you,” but that comes from lack of understanding. To be fair one has to say that that isn't always true, at least in a church where the older people are loving and caring and open to the young people. I have been blessed by hearing some of our young people say they are blessed to be able to relate to, and be alongside, older people. The challenge, perhaps, is more for the older people!

But Peter is being more specific: “ be submissive to those who are older.” Peter knows that an aspect of this youthful independence means a rejection of the wisdom and authority of those who God has called to lead the church, and that independence could therefore make them very vulnerable to the enemy. The answer is to be rightly related to the authority within the church which resides in those with wisdom and maturity in the church. Yes, youth does have all the energy and vibrancy that goes with younger years but without doubt wisdom comes with the experience of years. Unfortunately we live in an age when wisdom does not rate very highly in discussion areas, it is not valued. It is not realised that wisdom comes with experience and godly wisdom comes with experience of God.

Being submissive is all about attitude. It is about recognising that on our own we are vulnerable. It is about recognising that God calls leaders and our call is to recognise, acknowledge, esteem and let them lead. It is about having a teachable spirit, one who recognises they have much to learn (may we all have that until we go to heaven!) and is therefore open to hear what those who have walked this path before us have got to say. They may not have learnt the wisdom of the years but, nevertheless, listening to them will be instructive. It is about recognising authority that God has established and respecting and honouring it. It is about coming to an understanding of some of the burden that they carry, the responsibilities that they carry, their accountability to God. All these ways are simply expressions of what it means to be submissive to those who are older and in authority. In a day when the world and the enemy derides these things, we would do well to look at them again and ensure they are alive and well in the church.