"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
The Militant Christian (1 Peter 4:1-6)
It is quite common today to pick up the newspaper and read about the violent actions of those referred to as "militant fundamentalists". Sometimes the phrase has reference to extremists of the Islamic faith, engaged in what they call "Jihad" (holy war, or struggle). But there also times when it is applied to professing Christians, who resort to physical violence in support of their cause (for example, the radical pro-life movement).
As true followers of the "Prince of Peace" we must remember that the Kingdom is spiritual, and therefore not expanded through carnal means - Jn 18:36 “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” We should keep in mind the words of our Savior: "...for all who take sword will perish by the sword." - Mt 26:52. But this is not to say we do not have a true struggle, nor weapons with which to fight... We are engaged in a spiritual struggle, both without and within - Ep 6:12 “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”; 1 Pe 2:12 “having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
We have in our arsenal weapons that are "mighty in God" - 2 Co 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), casting 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;”. Indeed, as we enter the fourth chapter of 1st Peter, we see that Christians are to "arm" themselves in their service to the Lord - 1 Pe 4:1 “Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;”. So in one sense, there is such a thing as "The Militant Christian"; but it is important that we properly understand in what sense we are to be militant in our service to the Lord
Using 1 Pe 4:1-6 as our text, I would first point out that "The Militant Christian" is to be armed with the mind of Christ, verse (1) “Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;”
A mind willing to suffer is the attitude Peter wants us to have, which was the attitude of Christ Himself - 1 Pe 2:21-23 “who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”; 3:18“ Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;”
There are two reasons we should be willing to suffer, "since Christ suffered for us". He died for us, that we might live for righteousness - 1 Pe 2:24 “who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.” Is it asking too much that we might be willing to endure hardship for His sake?Note also, "he who suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin". One who endures hardship for Christ is not likely to allow sin to have dominance in his or her life. "One who has embraced the mind of Christ, and whose life is so influenced by him that he suffers persecution is not in danger of succumbing to the weaker temptations of the flesh. To such an individual these allurements lose their appeal. Martyrs, in the hour of persecution and death, do not toy with temptation or surrender to the seductions of the world!" - Guy N. Woods.
Armed with the mind of Christ, which includes a willingness to suffer for doing good, "The Militant Christian" is also to be militant in his struggle against sin, see verses (2-3). “that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:”
Here is where the major battle is to be fought. A battle between one's soul and fleshly lusts - 1 Pe 2:12 “having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” Unless we first win the battle for our own soul, we are not likely to be of much help in winning the souls of others! Therefore we need to remove the plank out of our own eye first - Mt 7:3-5 “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Only by first being "spiritual" ourselves are we prepared to help others - Ga 6:1 “Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Many immature Christians begin fighting a "spiritual warfare" with others too soon, and lose the "spiritual warfare" within themselves in the process!
In our motivation for this struggle against sin we have wasted enough of our lifetime doing what is called "the will of the Gentiles", which is briefly summarized in verse 3. What Paul calls the "works of the flesh" in Ga 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Now it is time to live out the rest of our life for "the will of God", briefly summarized in verses 7-11 (which will be considered more carefully in the next lesson).
As we think of ourselves "standing strong for the faith" and "fighting the good fight", let's not forget that the battle begins within ourselves. Unless the Christian is first militant in "crucifying the flesh" and "putting to death the deeds of the body", he or she is not likely to have the "spiritual fortitude" necessary to prevent killing one's self in the "battle for truth"2 Ti 2:24-26 “ (note And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will.”).
When "The Militant Christian" is living out the rest of his or her life for the will of God, we need to be prepared for the fact that we will likely be maligned, verse (4) “wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:”
Our former companions will think us "strange", because we no longer join with them in their sin. Unable to persuade us from our new course, they may resort to "speaking evil of you". Some young Christians are troubled by this "peer pressure", but when maligned we have reason to rejoice - Mt 5:11-12 “Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.”; 1 Pe 4:13-14 “but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.” Our response is to be one of love and honorable conduct - Mt 5:44“ but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;”; 1 Pe 2:12“ having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” Who knows? Perhaps our conduct will lead one day to their glorifying God!
Yes, "The Militant Christian" is likely to be thought of by others as a "fanatic", but I believe that deep down even those who malign us the most have respect for our convictions when held with the proper spirit on our part.
Finally, taking a clue from the comments of Peter in verses 5-6, let me suggest that "The Militant Christian" is one who is willing to let God be the judge, (5-6) “who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead. For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.”
Verse 6 is another one of "Peter's perplexing passages".. Especially the phrase "the gospel was also preached to those who are dead". Some think Peter is referring back to his comments in 1 Pe 3:18-20... If so, then the "spirits in prison" would be human spirits, not angelic spirits (as I suggested in my earlier lesson). If so, then the preaching of the gospel was:
1) Not an offer of salvation (i.e., a second chance).
2) But a proclamation of what Christ has done, explaining how Christ has redeemed the O.T. faithful, and why others remain condemned.
3) Note that they were still "judged according to men in the flesh" (how they lived in the flesh), though they now "live according to God in the spirit".
Others believe Peter is simply referring to the preaching of the gospel... To people when they were alive, but who are now among the dead.
Either way, as "militant Christians, wee must remember who is the Judge... God is the judge of those who are "outside" - 1 Co 5:12-13 “For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.” They will have to "give an account to Him who is ready to judge..." - 1 Pe 4:5. We must therefore be willing to let God be the judge... In other words, leave vengeance to God - Ro 12:19 “Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord.” God will apply the "justice" when necessary, we are called upon to offer His "mercy" until then, through the preaching of the gospel and through living lives of kindness and mercy - Ro 12:20-21 “But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
There is a place, then, for "militancy" in the life of the Christian! But it is to be found in the way we "arm" ourselves with the mind of Christ... "Fighting" the spiritual warfare that wages within. "Militant" in our efforts to live the godly life, do going and showing mercy. Are you "fighting the good fight of faith"? Are you even in the Lord's army...?
