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1 Peter 4:6
6 For [gar] for [eis] this cause [touto] was the gospel preached [euaggelizo] also [kai] to them that are dead [nekros], that [hina] they might be judged [krino] [men] according to [kata] men [anthropos] in the flesh [sarx], but [de] live [zao] according to [kata] God [theos] in the spirit [pneuma]. KJV-Interlinear
6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. NASB
The gospel of Christ is the good news of the actual work of Christ after it had been accomplished on the Cross.
Prior to the first advent of Christ, all that people had to go on was the promise of a savior, a messiah, a deliverer.
One (God), who would come in the flesh as perfect humanity, pay the price demanded by sin and death, and in so doing, save each person who believes in the one doing that work. This promise and principle of salvation was taught and passed on from generation to generation, by word of mouth and by deed of sacrifices.
And, this principle of salvation (by word and sacrificial ritual) followed humanity from culture to culture, as man moved around the world throughout the ages. Even though many of the sacrificial rituals were distorted and bastardized into evil purposes (as all principles of truth are), their existence testifies to the existence of Gods first promises to Adam and Eve.
For each principle of truth, Satan (and man) has invented a counter principle for evil purposes.
Knowing that humanity would fall off course in life, and knowing that humanity would be judged eventually, before the throne of Christ, this then is the primary reason that the gospel of Christ (both the promise of a savior and the fact of His work) was prepared and given to humanity.
That though humanity would live in the flesh and suffer and live as is common to humanity, and that humanity would eventually all die during the normal course of human history (everyone dies eventually), so that all of humanity would have the opportunity to live in the spirit with God in heaven, and be judged accordingly for heaven.
In other words, knowing that everyone who would be born into life in this world, and that everyone would face judgment, the gospel was prepared and made available to everyone throughout history, regardless of their culture, regardless of the time in which they lived in history, regardless of where on planet earth they would live.
No one would be left out, and therefore no one would, or will, have an excuse of not knowing what is expected by God, and of what they should expect in their own personal future.
This includes you.
You cannot get through life without receiving in some form, the gospel of Christ, and/or the doctrines affecting your spiritual future.
Whether you acknowledge these things or not, is your decision to make. Whether you accept your responsibilities in life, is a decision you have to make daily. Whether you become obedient to the mandates of God and therefore function properly within your spiritual life, is a decision that only you can make for yourself.
In any case, you, only you, make or destroy your own future.
In this world, you will see religious fanatics running, sprinting, giving all that they have, to be obedient or true to their false beliefs. These are the quintessence of fools.
Conversely, in Christianity, you will see believers who live in constant hesitation, constant disobedience, constant indifference, constant reasoning as to why this or that does not apply to them, and yet they hold in their little hands the key to the most phenomenal future that will ever be available to anyone. They remain stubborn to the point of losing a vast fortune, when they are soooo close!
Peter was addressing people who were living under tremendous sufferings and pressures in their lives. No doubt many back then, were thinking exactly as you think, worried about the day to day details of their life.
Your spiritual life is yours alone to live or not live. You have no right to evaluate anyone else. Concentrate on your own life, for how someone else lives in really none of your concern.
God has a plan for you. And only you can choose to follow that plan, or try to skimp by. And who then, is the wise or the fool?
