Peter is calling his readers to live out their newfound life in Christ in tangible, practical ways. They are to live godly lives, not to earn salvation, but as a result of the salvation provided for them by Jesus Christ. They are to live in the power of the Spirit, given to them by God and intended to transform their lives in radical ways. But while living for Christ, we are also to follow His example, and be willing to die as He did. The fact that Jesus came to earth and took on human flesh is important, but it is incomplete if we leave out His death and resurrection. So, in 1 Peter 3:18-22, Peter is going to remind us that Jesus came to die. That was His mission. It was not a detour or an unexpected ending to His original plan. It was the plan all along. And it is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ that gives the gospel its significance. The resurrection is the key. Without it, we are without hope, as Paul says. Without it, Jesus died in vain. But the resurrection of Christ is a resounding message of victory over sin and death. It proves that Jesus was who He claimed to be: The Son of God and the Savior of the world. And His resurrection is the basis of the hope of our future glorification. Because He lives, so shall we.
