Living for God
1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For 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.
7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so 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.
Suffering for Being a Christian
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)
19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Kuishi Kwa Ajili Ya Mungu
14:1 1Pet 3:18; Rum 6:2, 7; Gal 5:24; Kol 3:3, 5Kwa hiyo, kwa kuwa Kristo aliteswa katika mwili wake, ninyi nanyi jivikeni nia iyo hiyo kwa maana mtu aliyekwisha kuteswa katika mwili ameachana na dhambi. 24:2 Rum 6:2; 1Pet 1:14Kwa hivyo, haishi maisha yake yaliyobaki ya kuishi hapa duniani kwa tamaa mbaya za wanadamu, bali anaishi kwa mapenzi ya Mungu. 34:3 Efe 2:2; Eze 44:6; 45:9; Mdo 17:30; Efe 4:17; 1The 4:15Maana wakati uliopita mmekwisha kutumia muda wa kutosha katika maisha yenu mkifanya yale ambayo wapagani hupenda kutenda: wakiishi katika uasherati, tamaa mbaya, ulevi, karamu za ulafi, vileo, ngoma mbaya, na ibada chukizo za sanamu. 44:4 1Pet 3:16; Mdo 13:45; 18:6; 1Pet 3:16Wao hushangaa kwamba ninyi hamjiingizi pamoja nao katika huo wingi wa maisha ya ufisadi, nao huwatukana ninyi. 54:5 Mdo 10:42; 2Tim 4:1Lakini itawapasa wao kutoa hesabu mbele zake yeye aliye tayari kuwahukumu walio hai na waliokufa. 64:6 1Pet 3:19Kwa kuwa hii ndiyo sababu Injili ilihubiriwa hata kwa wale waliokufa, ili wahukumiwe sawasawa na wanadamu wengine katika mwili, lakini katika roho waishi kulingana na Mungu aishivyo.
74:7 Rum 13:11; 1Pet 4:8Mwisho wa mambo yote umekaribia. Kwa hiyo kuweni na akili tulivu na kiasi, mkikesha katika kuomba. 84:8 Ebr 13:1; Kol 3:14; Mit 10:12; 1Kor 13:7; Yak 5:20Zaidi ya yote, dumuni katika upendo kwa maana upendo husitiri wingi wa dhambi. 94:9 Flp 2:14; 1Pet 4:10; Rum 12:6-7; 1Kor 4:2Kuweni wakarimu kila mtu na mwenzake pasipo manungʼuniko. 104:10 Rum 12:6; 1Kor 4:7; Mt 24:45; Lk 12:42; 1Kor 4:1, 2Kila mmoja na atumie kipawa chochote alichopewa kuwahudumia wengine, kama mawakili waaminifu wa neema mbalimbali za Mungu. 114:11 Efe 6:10; 1Kor 10:31Yeyote asemaye hana budi kusema kama mtu asemaye maneno ya Mungu mwenyewe. Yeyote ahudumuye hana budi kuhudumu kwa nguvu zile anazopewa na Mungu, ili Mungu apate kutukuzwa katika mambo yote kwa njia ya Yesu Kristo. Utukufu na uweza una yeye milele na milele. Amen.
Kuteseka Kwa Kuwa Mkristo
124:12 1Pet 1:6-7; 1Kor 3:13Wapenzi, msione ajabu kwa yale mateso yanayotukia miongoni mwenu, kana kwamba ni kitu kigeni kinachowapata. 134:13 Rum 8:17; 1Pet 4:14; Mt 5:11Bali furahini kuwa mnashiriki katika mateso ya Kristo, ili mpate kufurahi zaidi wakati utukufu wake utakapofunuliwa. 144:14 Mt 5:11; 2Kor 12:10; Yak 1:12; 1Pet 2:19, 20Kama mkitukanwa kwa ajili ya jina la Kristo, mmebarikiwa, kwa sababu Roho wa utukufu na wa Mungu anakaa juu yenu. 154:15 Mdo 5:41; 1Pet 2:20; 1The 4:11; 1Tim 5:13Lakini asiwepo mtu yeyote miongoni mwenu anayeteswa kwa kuwa ni muuaji, au mwizi, au mhalifu wa aina yoyote, au anayejishughulisha na mambo ya watu wengine. 164:16 Mdo 5:41Lakini kama ukiteseka kwa kuwa Mkristo, usihesabu jambo hilo kuwa ni aibu, bali mtukuze Mungu kwa sababu umeitwa kwa jina hilo. 174:17 Eze 9:6; 1Tim 3:15; 2The 1:8Kwa maana wakati umewadia wa hukumu kuanzia katika nyumba ya Mungu. Basi kama ikianzia kwetu sisi, mwisho wa hao wasiotii Injili ya Mungu utakuwaje? 184:18 Mit 11:31; Lk 23:31Basi,
“Ikiwa ni vigumu kwa mwenye haki kuokoka,
itakuwaje kwa mtu asiyemcha Mungu na mwenye dhambi?”
194:19 Za 31:5; Lk 23:46; 2Tim 1:12Kwa hiyo, wale wanaoteswa kulingana na mapenzi ya Mungu, wajikabidhi kwa Muumba wao aliye mwaminifu, huku wakizidi kutenda mema.
