Reading for March 9th

Read 1 Peter 4.1-11. In verses 1-6: The final judgment. The hymn about Jesus leads naturally to the Day of Judgment. In verses 1-4: Baptismal transformation means the end of life in the flesh but the beginning of life according to the will of God. Conversion means a clear break with the ways of one's nieghbors, who ridicule converts for their distinctive behavior (2.18-3.17). In verses 5-6: Judgment confront all, good and bad, living and dead, so that all may be sved. In verses 7-11: Final judgment: Ideal response. The judgment mentioned above controls how we read vv.7-11. In verses 7-9: Unlike their indulgent neigbors, Christians demonstrate disciplined lives whose purity validates their prayers. Avoiding indulgence, they maintain constant love and practice hospitality, thus putting other before themselves. In verses 10-11: God's gifts are a patron's benefaction to his clients. Conversely, clients offer glory or honor to their patron in the doxolgy. Comments or Questions..