1st Book of Peter, chapter 4, verses 1-11.
1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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Right in the middle of this passage Peter again refers to the gospel being preached to those who are dead. This reminded me that Paul actually referred to people being baptized for the dead. “Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?” (1 Corinthians 15:29). It is an interesting discussion to have, but the Bible is much more explicit about preaching to the living. And most of this passage is about putting away the sin that was condemned in the flesh when Christ died, and how we should live thereafter.
How we should live in this world is one of the major take-aways from the scriptures. Put away sin, love one another, practice hospitality, and serve with the gift or gifts that God gave you. Our lives are not made up of cold compliance with a rigid list of rules. They are works of art, made from our personalities as the are informed by God’s commands, and the opportunities life presents us.
Jesus told us that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. If we live on a starvation diet of what we hear once a week from the pulpit, or a get from the occasional memory verse in a carefully curated devotional, our lives are not fully informed by God’s word. We will not be like the tree planted by the river, bearing fruit in its season. (Psalm 1).