The time has past

I love Peter. The apostle. He gets made fun of a lot. Impetuous they say. Put his foot in his mouth a lot. Denied the Lord. Three times. People love to point that out. And its true. I am guessing that it would have been five times if God had sent a couple of more people that night to ask him about Jesus. But he is the one who stood up and preached at Pentecost. And his epistles are incredible. They don't require a lot of interpretation like Paul does sometimes. Straightforward. Point blank. I like that. I think he is good to use as a measuring rod when interpreting more symbolic or allegorical passages of scripture.

Here's a great one.

1Peter 4:1-8 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, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 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. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 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.

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Peter taught the church to live a life of devotion to the kingdom of God. He didn't make any bones about it. He called the church to holiness, but not haughtiness. He finishes his exhortation with a call to love one another "above all." Love is the goal, always. But the path to experience and walk in that love seems to be separated from the ways of this world.

I want to understand that more clearly.