彼得前书1 Peter 4:12–19, 5:6–11
愿恩惠、平安多多地加给你们，就是照父神的先见被拣选，借着圣灵得成圣洁，以致顺服耶稣基督，又蒙他血所洒的人。阿们。
我们继续讲彼得的书信内容，彼得在今天的经文中仍然是高举我们在基督里面得救的盼望和确据，给我们在患难中的安慰，以及警告基督徒不要作恶，要为着救恩和将来的审判不断警醒。
弟兄姐妹们，我们学了这么久，应该已经很清楚，我们受洗之后的基督徒的生活并不容易，因为我们要面对至少三大类仇敌：我们自己的肉体或罪性，世界和魔鬼。我们因信基督，受洗归入基督，归入圣父、圣子、圣灵的名，就必然得救。这也是为什么彼得在书信的开头，先给众圣徒极大的确据和安慰，你们是蒙拣选的，是圣灵分别为圣，被基督宝血遮盖的了，是圣洁无瑕疵的了。然而，我们仍然活在地上，有很多需要对付的问题和试探，并没有一帆风顺的基督徒人生、基督徒生命；圣经通篇甚至都在警告我们，甚至“应许”了今生在世上必然有苦难。
彼得在今天的经文说得也很直白：“亲爱的弟兄啊，有火炼的试验临到你们，不要以为奇怪（似乎是遭遇非常的事）。”（彼前4:12）换句话说，你们基督徒啊，应当看苦难为家常便饭，没有什么希奇的，如果你感觉不到苦难，尤其是因着信基督而来的苦难，艰难，那才是不正常的。在此我们很容易看见，那些宣扬“成功神学”的教会或者牧者，都是被魔鬼利用，神从来没有应许，你要什么就能得到什么，你要工作、房子、车子、甚或敬虔的妻子、丈夫、儿女等等，我们可以为着这些需要祷告，但神从来没有应许你一定能够得到这些。是的，有时候，基督徒会因着信仰而与家人不和睦，主耶稣自己不是亲口说：“我来是叫人与父亲生疏，女儿与母亲生疏，媳妇与婆婆生疏。人的仇敌就是自己家里的人。”（马太福音10:34-36）
我们肉体的罪性或者说世界的价值观，引导我们本能地逃避苦难、痛苦。逃避苦难、痛苦本身并没有错，因为神造人的时候本是好的，是要我们享受神的同在，享受生命和喜乐。但是，但是，我们要知道，基督徒今生在世几十年，受苦、为基督受苦是我们生命的一部分。如果父上帝的旨意是叫祂的独生爱子耶稣受苦，甚至钉死在十字架上，我们跟随祂的人在地上的时候怎能逃脱十字架的、从信仰而来的苦难呢？彼得再次强调：“那照神旨意受苦的人要一心为善……【你们要知道】你们在世上的众弟兄也是经历这样的苦难。”（彼前4:19，5:9）换句话说，我们基督徒若坚持行善，而受苦，那是什么？“神的旨意”，是神许可临到我们身上的，若神不许可，圣经不是说，我们的一根头发都不会掉下来。
我们什么时候会躺在病床上，在手术室里面，在家庭的不和睦、被羞辱、嘲笑中，在失业甚或破产当中，仍然能够感谢神，仍然能够以神为乐，为自己的受苦而喜乐呢？彼得说：“倒要欢喜，因为你们是与基督一同受苦，使你们在他荣耀显现的时候，也可以欢喜快乐。你们若为基督的名受辱骂，便是有福的；因为神荣耀的灵常住在你们身上。”（彼前4:13-14）这是一种因着神的旨意所受的苦，就当欢喜快乐，不要气馁、不要绝望，要感恩、喜乐，这也是保罗在监狱或者说监禁中所写书信的话：“你们要靠主常常喜乐，我再说，你们要喜乐。”（腓立比书4:4）若是按照神的旨意受苦，那我们的良心就是无亏的、是平安的，是可以坦然亲近主，盼望将来与主相见的。
然而，然而，我们也要知道，彼得在这里并不是凭空给出这样的警告说：“你们中间不可有人因为杀人、偷窃、作恶、好管闲事而受苦。”（彼前4:15）换句话说，如果你是因为偷窃而坐牢，那就没什么喜乐的，只有羞愧不堪，希望能够悔改。虽然我们中间没有人因偷窃被抓，但有没有偷懒的呢？在工作中浑水摸鱼呢？有没有克扣压榨员工呢？虽然我们当中没有杀人犯，但你有没有时常带着怨恨、不饶恕而继续过基督徒生活呢？主耶稣亲自解释十诫的“不可杀人”这一诫命说，“只是我告诉你们，凡向弟兄动怒的，难免受审断；凡骂弟兄是拉加的，难免公会的审断；凡骂弟兄是魔利的，难免地狱的火。”（太5:22）弟兄姐妹们，圣经很多时候都是显而易见，清清楚楚，根本不需要解释的。骂人就是杀人，恨人就是杀人，因为不是爱就是恨，没有中间地带。
“作恶的、好管闲事的”。恶不一定是违背民事的法律，恶就是善的对立面，就如不义是义的反义词一样。我们在崇拜开始时一起的认罪，承认罪，包括做错的事，以及可以做但没做的善事，正确的事情。什么是好管闲事？管闲事不仅是招人厌，而且是越权，不该你管的就不能管，不该你说的话，就不能说，你有没有这个位份。管闲事，不是说这个事是闲事、琐碎的事，而是你这个人是“闲人”，到处瞎逛，到处惹是生非。闲人，就是没有规矩，闲得发慌，不干涉其他人或者其他事心里就痒得慌。怎么能做一个不好管闲事的人？首先是做好自己，保罗给帖撒罗尼迦教会的劝勉：“要立志作安静人，办自己的事，亲手做工。”（帖前4:11）如果你自己的事都做不好，让外人说三道四，更别说你再去管闲事了。对不对？
第二，好管闲事就是越权，不守规矩，还是保罗给帖撒罗尼迦教会的劝勉：“因我们听说，在你们中间有人不按规矩而行，什么工都不做，反倒专管闲事。我们靠主耶稣基督吩咐、劝戒这样的人，要安静做工，吃自己的饭。”（帖后3:11-12）如果你茶余饭后、或者餐桌上都是闲聊一些八卦、又或别人家的事，很显然是好管闲事，是作恶、得罪神的事。有时候你会说，我又没有到处宣扬别人家的丑事，不过是在自家餐桌上、或者跟几个要好的朋友、闺蜜闲聊一下，有什么不妥？不，不，神的旨意很清楚，要安静，规规矩矩，管好自己的家，自己的事，殷勤作工，自己的事情还忙不完，顾不过来呢，为什么非要管闲事呢？说闲话呢？你们不知道神在听吗？你是要帮忙，还是评头论足呢？如果真想帮忙，别人允许你涉足了吗？对不对？这也引出第三点，也是保罗的劝勉，在提摩太书信里面，保罗针对好管闲事的寡妇说：“他们习惯懒惰、挨家闲游；不但是懒惰，又说长道短，好管闲事，说些不当说的话。”（提前5:13）弟兄姐妹们，我们要警醒，因为有时候就连教会所谓的聚会都可能变成说闲话的地方和场合。我们的聚会只能是以神的话语，圣经，奉主的名聚会，而不是说人的闲话。
说到这里，你可能会说，这不就是说我自己吗？难怪我受苦喜乐不起来，因为我是因行恶受苦啊。哀哉，我是嘴唇不洁的，也是住在嘴唇不洁的民中。是的，就是这样，按照我们的本性，有罪的肉体所行出的恶，我们本该受罚，今生和永远地狱的刑罚。这也是为什么彼得得出这样的结论：“若是义人仅仅得救，那不虔敬和犯罪的人将有何地可站呢？”（彼前4:18）我们看下这个副词，“仅仅”，就是“勉强、经历了许多患难坎坷才、差一点就不能”的意思。很多时候，我们基督徒所做的、所思想的都是拦阻我们最终得救的事，都是让我们良心不安、羞愧见主面的事情，都是经不起审判的事情。主耶稣说，有些信徒就是听了不去行，就像房子盖在沙土之上，愚昧无知，“雨淋、水冲、风吹，撞着房子，房子就倒塌了”（太7:24，27）。
这也是为什么主耶稣说了很多不容易听的话。“天国是努力进入的，努力的人就得着了。”（太11:12）“你们要努力进窄门，我告诉你们，将来有许多人想要进去，却是不能。”（路13:24）不是说白白地因信称义，信耶稣得赦免，得永生吗？怎么还需要努力呢？就是因为这些罪性和罪行，随时会响应世界的诱惑和呼召，随时响应魔鬼的计谋和邪恶作为，为了金钱出卖信仰、为了金钱出卖灵魂。努力不是说我们可以赚取天国，努力乃是说我们已经得着了，正在去往天国、天堂、天上、天家的路上，若不竭力对付罪，我们很容易失去。你不努力进天国，世界就会努力把你拉扯倒退回去，重新归入罪的俘虏、情欲的引诱和试探漩涡中，今生的骄傲和攀比当中。弟兄姐妹们，我们要警醒啊，我们基督徒的一生就是逆流行舟，逆流而上啊。你原地踏步不动，其实就是倒退，你不斗争，就是失败。你不顺从圣灵的感动和引领，神话语的引导，你就是顺从肉体的律，那悖逆圣灵的老亚当。
你偷懒、躺平、不努力在基督里追求属灵的成熟和健壮，你就会被魔鬼掳去，追随世界的脚步。因为魔鬼很积极啊，自从你受洗归入基督那一天起，自从你跟随耶稣，弃绝魔鬼那一天起，你就竖起了一个大敌。彼得说：“务要谨守、警醒，因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。”（彼前5:6）谁是魔鬼寻找的对象啊？就是基督徒，归在神名下的人，因为不信的人早已经是魔鬼的俘虏啊，是被世界弄瞎的心眼，不知道前面是地狱和刑罚。
但是，弟兄姐妹们，即使我们偶尔被过犯胜过，神是信实的。祂随时乐意赦免我们这些愿意悔改的儿女，因为我们是祂所拣选、分别为圣归于祂的人。我们“要将一切的忧虑卸给神，因为他顾念你们。”（彼前5:7）为什么要交托啊，因为我们有罪肉体的本性就是要靠自己解决忧虑。想要跟世人一样，靠账户里的存款金额、有保障、高收入的工作来得安慰和快乐。人人不都是为着明天的吃喝忧虑吗？其实神待我们不薄，我们今日总有面包，再穷也没有说到了吃不起饭的地步，何况你是在美国生活。但是，你看，人人不都是为着明天忧虑发愁，明天住哪，明天吃啥，明天去哪旅行，明天做什么工作等等。鲜少有人为着今天日用的饮食而真正感恩的，包括很多基督徒，甚至在座的各位。求主怜悯我们。
我们要怎么办？总结下来，要“用坚固的信心”抵挡魔鬼，要靠着信心不断地寻求神的怜悯和赦罪，要靠着信心不断地行善，而不是作恶。若我们行在义中，我们受什么苦，都不算什么，都是至暂至轻的，都会过去，我们所盼望的是将来与神活在一起，永远活在一起，不是在地上。主耶稣必要再来，重新呼唤我们，要从坟墓中复活过来，要叫我们得荣耀的冠冕。彼得说：“等你们暂受苦难之后，神必要亲自成全你们，坚固你们，赐力量给你们，因为我们蒙召是出于那赐诸般恩典的神，在基督耶稣里实现的。”一切权能都是神的，归给基督了，我们要倚靠祂，凭信心活着，热心行善。奉耶稣的名。阿们。
1 Peter 4:12–19, 5:6–11
May grace and peace be multiplied to you who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, and by sprinkling with his blood, for obedience to Jesus Christ. Amen.
We continue our study of Peter’s epistles. In today’s text, Peter continues to exalt our hope and assurance of salvation in Christ, offering us comfort in tribulations, warning Christians against doing evil, and exhorting us to remain constantly watchful in view of our salvation and the coming judgment.
Brothers and sisters, having studied this for so long, it should be very clear to us that the Christian life after Holy Baptism is not easy. This is because we must face at least three major enemies: our own flesh (or sinful nature), the world, and the devil. Because we believe in Christ and are baptized into Him—into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit—we are certainly saved. This is why, at the very beginning of his letter, Peter first gives the saints great assurance and comfort: you are chosen, you are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, you are covered by the precious blood of Christ, and you are holy and blameless. Nevertheless, we still live on this earth, and we have many issues and temptations to deal with. There is no such thing as smooth sailing in the Christian life. In fact, the entire Bible warns us—and even "promises" us—that we will inevitably face suffering in this world.
Peter puts it very bluntly in today’s text:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)
In other words, you Christians should view suffering as a normal, everyday occurrence; it is nothing to wonder at. If you do not feel any suffering—especially the suffering and hardship that come from faith in Christ—that is what would actually be abnormal. From this, we can easily see that churches or pastors who preach the "Prosperity Gospel" are being used by the devil. God has never promised that you can get whatever you want—whether it is a job, a house, a car, or even a wife, husband, or children, or godly ones. We can pray for these needs, but God has never promised that you will definitely receive them. Indeed, sometimes Christians will experience discord with their families because of their faith. Did not the Lord Jesus Himself say with His own mouth:
“For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.” (Matthew 10:35–36)
The sinful nature of our flesh, or the values of this world, leads us to instinctively flee from suffering and pain. Fleeing pain itself is not wrong, because when God created man, it was good; He intended for us to enjoy His presence, life, and joy. But—and there is a big but—we must understand that during the few decades a Christian spends in this world, suffering, specifically suffering for Christ, is part of our life. If it was the will of God the Father for His only-begotten, beloved Son, Jesus, to suffer and even be crucified on the cross, how can we who follow Him escape the suffering of the cross that comes from faith while we are on earth? Peter emphasizes this again:
“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good...” [for you know that] “the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” (1 Peter 4:19, 5:9)
In other words, if we Christians persist in doing good and suffer for it, what is that? It is "God's will." It is what God has allowed to come upon us. If God does not permit it, the Bible says that not even a single hair from our head will fall.
When is it that we can lie on a hospital bed, be in an operating room, face family discord, humiliation, or ridicule, or endure unemployment or even bankruptcy, and still thank God, still rejoice in God, and be glad in our suffering? Peter says:
“But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” (1 Peter 4:13–14)
This is the kind of suffering that comes according to God's will. Therefore, we should rejoice and be glad. Do not lose heart; do not despair. Be thankful and joyful. This also echoes the words Paul wrote from prison or confinement:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4)
If we suffer according to God's will, then our conscience is blameless and at peace. We can confidently draw near to the Lord and look forward to meeting Him in the future.
However—and there is another however—we must also know that Peter does not give this warning out of nowhere:
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.” (1 Peter 4:15)
In other words, if you are in prison because of theft, there is no joy in that; there is only utter shame and a need for repentance. Although none of us has been caught stealing, is there anyone who is lazy? Are you slacking off at work? Are you withholding wages or exploiting your employees? Although there are no murderers among us, are you continuing your Christian life while harboring resentment and a refusal to forgive? The Lord Jesus Himself explained the Commandment "You shall not murder" by saying:
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matthew 5:22)
Brothers and sisters, many times the Bible is plain and clear; it needs no explanation at all. Insulting someone is murder; hating someone is murder. Because it is either love or hate—there is no middle ground.
What about "an evildoer or a meddler"? Evil does not necessarily mean breaking civil laws; evil is simply the opposite of good, just as unrighteousness is the antonym of righteousness. In the corporate confession of sins at the beginning of our Divine Service, we confess our sins, which include the wrong things we have done, as well as the good and right things we could have done but failed to do.
And what is a "meddler"? Meddling is not only obnoxious, but it is also an usurpation of authority. If it is not your place to manage something, you must not manage it. If it is not your place to speak, you must not speak. Do you hold the proper office or position to do so? Being a meddler does not mean the matter itself is trivial or minor; it means you are an idle person, wandering around, stirring up trouble. An idle person is undisciplined, restless with boredom, and feels an itch unless they interfere with other people or other matters. How can we avoid being a meddler? First, by managing yourself well. Consider Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonian church:
“...and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands...” (1 Thessalonians 4:11)
If you cannot even manage your own affairs well, giving outsiders cause to gossip, how much less should you go meddling in others' business? Isn't that right?
Second, meddling is an usurpation of authority and a failure to keep order. Again, Paul exhorts the Thessalonian church:
“For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” (2 Thessalonians 3:11–12)
If your conversation after dinner or around the table consists of gossiping about rumors or other families' business, you are clearly acting as a busybody. This is doing evil and sinning against God. Sometimes you might say, "But I am not spreading other families' scandalous stories everywhere. I am just chatting at my own dinner table or with a few close friends or buddies; what's wrong with that?" No, no. God's will is very clear: be quiet, be orderly, manage your own household and your own affairs, and work diligently. You already have more than enough to handle with your own matters; why must you meddle in others' business and engage in idle chatter? Do you not know that God is listening? Are you trying to help, or are you just passing judgment? Even if you truly want to help, have others permitted you to step in? Isn't that right?
This leads to the third point, which is also Paul's exhortation in his epistle to Timothy regarding idle widows:
“Besides that, they learn to be idlers, gadding about from house to house, and not only idlers but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.” (1 Timothy 5:13)
Brothers and sisters, we must be watchful, because sometimes even so-called church gatherings can turn into places and occasions for gossip. Our gatherings must only be centered on God's Word, the Bible, meeting in the name of the Lord, and not for gossiping about people.
Hearing this, you might say, "Isn't this talking about me? No wonder I cannot rejoice in my suffering, because I am suffering for doing evil. Woe is me! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips." Yes, that is exactly it. According to our nature, because of the evil produced by our sinful flesh, we deserve punishment—both in this life and the eternal punishment of hell. This is why Peter draws this conclusion:
“And ‘If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’” (1 Peter 4:18)
Look at that adverb, "scarcely." It means "with difficulty, having gone through many tribulations and hardships, barely making it." Many times, what we Christians do and think actually hinders our final salvation. They are things that make our consciences uneasy and cause us shame when we face the Lord—things that cannot withstand judgment. The Lord Jesus said that some believers are like those who hear His words but do not do them; they are like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:27; see v. 24)
This is why the Lord Jesus spoke many words that are difficult to hear:
“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has faced violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)
“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:24)
Does it not say that we are justified freely by faith, and that by believing in Jesus we receive forgiveness and eternal life? Why then do we still need to strive? It is precisely because this sinful nature and these sinful deeds are always ready to respond to the allurements and calls of the world. They are ready at any moment to yield to the devil's schemes and evil works, selling out faith and selling out the soul for money. "Striving" does not mean we can earn the kingdom of heaven. Rather, striving means that we have already received it and are now on the way to the kingdom of heaven—to paradise, to the heavenly places, to our heavenly home. If we do not fight against sin with all our might, we can easily lose our way. If you do not strive to enter the kingdom of heaven, the world will strive to drag you backward, returning you as a captive to sin, into the vortex of fleshly temptations and trials, and into the pride and rivalries of this life. Brothers and sisters, we must be watchful! The life of a Christian is like rowing a boat against the current—we are swimming upstream. If you stand still, you are actually drifting backward. If you do not fight, you fail. If you do not submit to the promptings and leading of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of God's Word, you are submitting to the law of the flesh—the Old Adam that rebels against the Holy Spirit.
If you are lazy, "lie flat," and do not strive in Christ to pursue spiritual maturity and strength, you will be carried away by the devil to follow the footsteps of the world. For the devil is very active. From the day you were baptized into Christ, from the day you followed Jesus and renounced the devil, you raised up a great enemy. Peter says:
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you... Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:6, 8)
Who is the devil looking for? He is looking for Christians—those who belong to God's name. Unbelievers are already captives of the devil; their minds have been blinded by the world, and they do not know that hell and punishment lie ahead.
But, brothers and sisters, even if we are occasionally overtaken by a transgression, God is faithful. He is always ready to forgive us, His children, who are willing to repent, because we are chosen and sanctified by Him to belong to Him. We must:
“...[cast] all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Why must we entrust them to Him? Because the nature of our sinful flesh wants to rely on itself to solve our anxieties. It wants to be like the world, seeking comfort and happiness from the balance in a bank account, or from a secure, high-income job. Does not everyone worry about what they will eat and drink tomorrow? In truth, God has treated us very well. We always have bread today; no matter how poor we are, we have not reached the point where we cannot afford food—especially living here in America. Yet, look at how everyone still frets and worries about tomorrow: where to live tomorrow, what to eat tomorrow, where to travel tomorrow, what job to do tomorrow, and so on. Rarely does anyone truly give thanks for their daily bread today, including many Christians, and even those sitting here today. May the Lord have mercy on us.
What must we do? To summarize: we must "resist him, firm in your faith" (1 Peter 5:9). We must constantly seek God's mercy and the forgiveness of sins by faith, and we must constantly do good rather than evil by faith. If we walk in righteousness, whatever suffering we endure is nothing. It is light and momentary, and it will pass. What we hope for is to live with God in the future—to live together forever, not on this earth. The Lord Jesus will certainly come again; He will call us anew, raise us up from the grave, and bestow upon us the crown of glory. Peter says:
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10)
All power belongs to God and has been given to Christ. We must rely on Him, live by faith, and be zealous for good works.
In Jesus' name. Amen.