Hated by the Devil
1 Peter 4:1-6
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
Suffering and trials will come to the believer. Just as people persecuted Christ, so will they do to you for his name's sake as in John 15:20. If you suffer with Him, as in 2 Timothy 2:12, you will also "reign with him." The phrase, "done with sin," depicts the situation of a bad lover abandoned in favor of a tender husband's care. Another picture of this is the fathering of God. So as it is with the father, likewise the children also follow. This same mind refers to having the mind of Christ. We should have a mentality to face trials because of Jesus's name. The believer's mindset should be characterized as an attitude of determining to be like Christ. The product of bodily testing is a life marked by service to Christ. Note the limits set by Christ upon the devil's power in Matthew 10:28: "fear not them which kill the body" but fear the one who can kill the "soul and body in hell. Christ is saying that where you have come from has no power over your now. These circumstances cannot change the fathering of Christ, your place in him, your service to him, or even your present and eternal lives.
For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
Peter speaks of two separate fathers here. The will of the Gentiles follows that of their father the devil. Thus, his works will his children do according to 1 John 3:10. In this, we see the fruits of the father evident in the people's lives. This lifestyle of "what pagans chose to do" is like one who claims God as Father but denies his power in 2 Timothy 3:5. Those whose father is God will show a changed life even in the middle of trials and testing. The children of the lesser hate those of the greater because of their position, authority, and even God's blessing on their life. Just as Cain hated Abel for his relationship and favor with God in 1 John 3:12, so the devil's children will persecute those who are Christ's.
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 human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
All men must stand before God, the judge of all. Judgement is not by human standards but rather by the eternal. Judgement is not by malice but rather by righteousness. God gives all men a chance to hear of him in Romans 1:20. He preaches to all as a living testimony. These verses reference the great mystery of 1 Corinthians 15:51. Those alive to Christ, that serve him by the Spirit, have been touched by the second birth spoken of in John 3:6. Those alive in the body are of the first birth and cannot taste of the second death in Revelation 2:11. The sacrament of baptism symbolizes what Peter is trying to portray. The liturgy, commonly recited at these events, refers to being buried in the likeness of his death and raised in the power of his resurrection as in Romans 6:4. Christ may resurrect your hopes, dreams, your family, your finances, and even your life in this world or he may wait until the next; however, he may allow you to serve him without these things being raised from the dead. Even if he does not deliver, yet we will serve him. God is the teacher. God is the leader. God is the one who went before. He will teach you even when you do not have anyone else. He will train you to do the work he has called you to do.