"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging."
In today's lesson, Peter again explained that in order to achieve righteousness, one must suffer. However we, the children of God, are protected from that suffering because the righteousness of Jesus Christ has been imputed into us through our faith in Him. "For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit".
So far as the salvation of the eternal soul is concerned, what we do or do not do after we have believed on Jesus Christ means nothing. However, as it concerns our everyday lives, if we choose to live outside the perfect will of God, we will pay the cost either by suffering here on earth or we will be called to account at the judgment seat of Christ; "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Jesus made it very clear that no human other than Himself, either saved of unsaved, can live above sin in the flesh; "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God." (Mark 10:18)~
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