Scripture to Read: 1 Peter 4:1–2
So, as we read 1 Peter 4, we see how God reminds us that Christ is our example and that we are to live our lives fulfilling God's will and not seeking what we want. God also reminds us that we must be renewed in our minds (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23, 2 Corinthians 10:3–5, Colossians 3:1–4), no longer thinking fleshly, but spiritually. God lays it out like this in 1 Peter 4:1–2, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. Christ is our perfect example since He obeyed God the Father in the flesh, even through His suffering. Christ shows us that when we suffer for doing good and honoring God the Father, we are doing the will of God for our lives. We will not be completely free of sin until we leave this earthly shell and are with our Lord forever. But while we're here, when we are obedient to our Lord, we see how sin does not deserve to have a place in any area of our lives, even in times of suffering. Therefore, we must continuously pursue God's Word and live for Him while we live on this earth. As we follow our Lord and His Word, we won't waste our lives chasing our fleshly desires, but we will be excited to do His will.
Challenge & Application
1. How does obeying God in times of great suffering break the power of sin in our lives?
2. How will you follow our Lord and His Word and not waste your life chasing your fleshly desires, but be excited to do His will?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!