1 Peter 4:1-2
“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”
1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV
The Cross is before the crown, and earthy pain and human sorrow precedes our heavenly reward and eternal joy. Christ patiently endured the Cross for the joy that was set before Him, and likewise His disciples must follow in their Master's footsteps. Since Christ suffered in the flesh, we should also be ready to arm ourselves with the same determined purpose as our Lord and for His glory. Christ suffered unjustly with much patience and we are to apply this same principle of patient endurance in the midst of unfair treatment and discriminatory practices that we may receive in our own Christian walk. We who have been bought with the precious blood of Christ Jesus our Lord, should arm ourselves with the same courage and determination and to accept suffering in this life for the sake of our God and Saviour. Because Jesus suffered in the flesh on our account, we are to arm ourselves with the same resolve and purpose as Him. When we are born again, we do not automatically become sinless, even though we have been covered in Christ's righteousness. We retain a sin nature until we go to be with the Lord. We, as born again believers who have been saved by grace through faith, are eternally redeemed. However, we can choose to live the spiritual life or walk the carnal way. We can choose between living for self or suffering for the sake of Christ, where we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto the Lord. We can live in the world and permit worldly philosophies to infect our lives and tarnish our witness or we can be in the world but not become part of the world. We can adopt the ways of the world which discredit our Saviour or we can swim against the tide of hatred and animosity in a world that is at enmity with God and in conflict with His children. We can take the easy route in life and compromise the truth of the glorious gospel and indulge in worldly ways and ungodly alliances or we can take the path of purity and righteousness by eschewing all that is evil and bearing the reproach of Christ in our suffering and shame, for how can we continue to be slaves of sin when the Lord Jesus, Who died for us and rose again, has set us free from slavery to sin and broken its suffocating hold on our lives.
Father thank You for this day and the wonderful example of Christ Jesus our Lord Who came to earth to identify with our sin and suffered in the flesh on our account so that we might be saved by faith in His sacrificial work on the Cross. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord we pray that we may develop the same resolve to live holy unto the Lord, knowing that He has not only paid for our sin, but has also broken the power of sin in our lives. Let’s praise His Holy Name. Lord use my friend to be a blessing of Your love to those in need of it today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya!!
Comentarios