受苦和與罪斷絕
彼得前書四章1至6節
1基督既在肉身受苦，你們也當將這樣的心志作為兵器，因為在肉身受過苦的，就已經與罪斷絕了。
2你們存這樣的心，從今以後就可以不從人的情慾，只從神的旨意在世度餘下的光陰。
3因為往日隨從外邦人的心意行邪淫、惡慾、醉酒、荒宴、群飲，並可惡拜偶像的事，時候已經夠了。
4他們在這些事上，見你們不與他們同奔那放蕩無度的路，就以為怪，毀謗你們。
5他們必在那將要審判活人死人的主面前交賬。
6為此，就是死人也曾有福音傳給他們，要叫他們的肉體按著人受審判，他們的靈性卻靠神活著。
信息分享
接著幾天，我們將回到彼得前書的最後兩章。這兩章經文，對我們每個人都深有啟發。
今天所讀的經文涉及兩個重要的主題：受苦和與罪斷絕。它們都是我們決志成為基督徒後，生命出現改變的其中兩個經歷。我們成為新人之後，性情和心志都會與之前不同，但同時也要面對新的問題。
第1節首先提出基督的受苦。我們不可能像基督那樣受苦，可是，我們不能再按照肉體的喜好而行，對我們的肉體而言(即我們的舊人而言)，也算得上是一種受苦。除非我們明白到我們的舊本性已經與基督同釘十字架，我們才可以永遠地脫離它的轄制。基督釘十字架的時候，已將罪在我們身上的勢力徹底粉碎。
因此，我們如今在世為人，是「只從神的旨意」(2節)，而不是為了滿足自我的私慾。
彼得在第3節提及我們還沒悔改時的光景。我們成為基督徒的那一刻，屬世的人生便出現了一個分水嶺。我們的生活便出現「得救之前」和「得救之後」的分別。
世人卻不明白這改變(4節)。他們只看見我們成了基督徒後所放棄的東西，卻看不見我們所得著的東西。其實，對比於我們所得著的福分，我們為基督的緣故而放棄的一切根本是微不足道。
要為主受苦，當然不會好過；要逆流而上，走世人所不認同的道路，也並不容易。然而，我們若想為主而活，這就是我們必須踏上的道路。
反思：
我是否基督的精兵？是否願意跟隨神的羔羊？我是否害怕承擔祂的使命，或提起祂的名字便感到臉紅？
SUFFERING AND SEPARATION
1 Peter 4:1-6
1 Therefore, since 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,
2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Message
We have returned to the two last chapters of 1 Peter for our readings over the next few days. These chapters are full of strong teaching for us all.
These verses deal with two important subjects, suffering and separation. This is all part of the great change that takes place when we come to Christ. We receive a new nature with new desires and ambitions and even new problems.
The first verse mentions Christ's sufferings. We cannot suffer as he did, but it is still painful to the flesh (the old nature) not to have its own way. It is only as we see that old nature crucified with Christ that we will ever be free from its power. Christ broke the power of sin and the old nature over us when he was crucified.
Now we live for the will of God (v. 2), not just to fulfil all the lusts of the self-centred flesh.
In verse 3 Peter mentions the time of our conversion. Earthly life is divided at that point for the Christian. We speak of the time 'before we were saved' or 'since we have been saved'.
The world can't understand this (v. 4). They see what we have given up since we became Christians. What they can't see is what we have received as Christians. That is far more than anything we may have given up for Christ's sake.
It isn't easy to suffer. It isn't easy to be different from the world, but if we are going to mean anything for Christ in this life that is the way we have to travel.
A THOUGHT:
'Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own his cause
Or blush to speak his name?'