1 Peter 4:1-5
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.
Verse 1 says that "whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin". I do want to stop sinning, but to be honest, what Peter describes is not the method I prefer. I don't want to suffer, I want to live a life of pleasure, comfort and fun! Yet we ultimately have to make a choice: do we live "for human passions" or "for the will of God" (verse 2)? In other words, for my will or Your will? Choosing the will of God is not easy, and may cause others to be "surprised when you do not join them" (verse 4), thus leading to suffering, but is also the way to victory over sin and life with God.
Lord, thank you for willingly suffering for my salvation, and help me to choose to follow Your will.
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.
Verse 1 says that "whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin". I do want to stop sinning, but to be honest, what Peter describes is not the method I prefer. I don't want to suffer, I want to live a life of pleasure, comfort and fun! Yet we ultimately have to make a choice: do we live "for human passions" or "for the will of God" (verse 2)? In other words, for my will or Your will? Choosing the will of God is not easy, and may cause others to be "surprised when you do not join them" (verse 4), thus leading to suffering, but is also the way to victory over sin and life with God.
Lord, thank you for willingly suffering for my salvation, and help me to choose to follow Your will.