1 Peter 4:5 5who will give an accounting to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
This verse impacts both believers and unbelievers. First, it functions as a strong warning for unbelievers who persecute Christians. All people will give an account for their actions (Hebrews 9:27). Those who persecute Christians may not believe in God in this life. They may live to please themselves without any regard to holiness. They become blinded and deceived by the darkness in which they live. Their consciences become hardened so that they do not sense the Holy Spirit’s conviction anymore. They have no fear of God, which causes life to deteriorate and self-destruct. They will be surprised on the day of judgment when they stand before God and their lies are exposed.
This verse also offers relief to believers who are persecuted. We are reminded that God will have the final say. We should not seek revenge for the wrong done to use because God will revenge those who have done evil (Romans 12:19; Revelation 6:10; 19:2). Justice will be done, sooner or later. We do not need to live in fear of what we will face in this life from others but live in reverence for the One to whom we must give an account.
If we choose the way of sin, it may bring temporary satisfaction, but that satisfaction is only from selfishness and sinful indulgence, which only bring a worse type of suffering later. Not only does living for the flesh reap much suffering in this world from bad choices, but one’s decisions have eternal consequences. Peter tells his readers that it is time to leave those activities behind. The unrighteous, especially our friends who are caught in the trap of these activities, may not like that we have left this fleshly life behind. They may even respond by causing us pain, sorrow, and suffering. But through this, we can find strength in God as our faith and reliance on him grows.