1 Peter 4

May 30, 2022

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Reading along with us in 1 Peter? Here’s today’s reading:

1 Peter 4 (NIV)

Living for God
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.............Continue Reading

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This Post Has 9 Comments

  1. So wish suffering wasn’t part of the Christian life. God left us imperfect on purpose and allowed suffering so we lean on him when in the valleys. When I became a Christian many of my friends were uneasy. As I didn’t participate in their lifestyle anymore. Found myself alone for awhile. But full of peace and joy. Be alert and sober so that you can pray. So many times in scripture prayer is the first mention. In acts chapter 6. The apostles chose 7 more so that they could devote themselves to Prayer!! Acts 6:4. So glad prayer is strong part of our church. Think we should explore more avenues for prayer. Next verses. Use your gifts to further the kingdom of God. Once again Peter speaks of suffering as a test. Need to trust God. Whether the sun is shining or thunderstorms come. Trust overcomes fears and depression. Whatever comes my way. My Heavenly Father will see me through.

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  3. 1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

    I have to prefer suffering in my body but obeying God, rather than satisfying my selfish sinful desires.

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  5. This world makes it so hard to stand apart from sin and sinful behavior but when we are saved by the grace of God we need to walk away from all of it. People will be confused and even frustrated but we stand strong knowing He is with us.
    Then on top of that He says this new life wont be easy….we will likely suffer for the choice we have made to follow Him. It feels from an earthly perspective like a bad deal but we must always remind ourselves that this world is a blink of an eye compared to eternity with Him. Therefore it makes it easy to know that this is temporary discomfort compared to what He has waiting for us.

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  6. Our life in the flesh is temporary. We have a spirit that will live forever if we are in Christ. The suffering we experience in the flesh is fleeting. I think part of the weakness of the American church is that we are so fleshly and earthly minded. Even our faith diverts to apologetics, the attempt to prove by earthly means, that God is real, creation happened by physical means that we can observe, God’s ways fit into logic and reason…and being shocked or explain away the miraculous. Apologetics can strengthen our faith, but our relationship with God still requires faith….just faith. I think we divert to reliance on the flesh because we have not suffered. “he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” When I think of Corrie Ten Boom, or others who suffered severely in the flesh, even though she struggled with sin still (the fleshly desire to kill the abusive guards), the Spirit within her enabled her to forgive (cease from sin.) As Americans, we have this strong conviction regarding our rights, even our religious, God-given rights, and rightly so. We have taken these for granted and we think that by them we have a right not to suffer (this is why we are so weak.) On the contrary, I think we are guaranteed suffering. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.”

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  7. It is an interesting point that suffering teaches us to do away with sin since it reveals the temporary and shallow nature of the flesh and the greater value that is in Christ, and from the example of His suffering we see that our suffering for Him is worth it. Oh the world may wonder why we don’t live the same, but we know and hope from our example that they will see the better life that is in Christ. But we must remain sober minded and clear thinking because the traps are all around to go back to the old ways. But the old ways are fleeting and eventually (soon?) will be judged and destroyed. It’s further reason to give them up now! And in addition to being holy in ourselves, we also must love completely because that too is something Jesus modeled and empowers. And how great to know that when we serve in any capacity, we are allowing the power of God to work through us. And that may lead to suffering even for doing right, but that is part of being associated with the One to whom the same was done. It has been a consistent theme in this book…we should expect our life in Christ to be like Jesus’ life. He provide the fine example and it is a privilege to share in what He went though in His suffering.

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  9. Live for the will of God, not for earthly desires. Love each other deeply, be hospitable, serve others and speak with respect towards others. If you suffer for being a Christian, you will be blessed so commit yourself to Him and continue to do good.

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