Monday Devo
Scripture:
1 Peter 4
So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.
So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.
Commentary:
4:1–2 Since therefore Christ suffered. The suffering of Christ again functions as a model and inspiration for the readers. Concerning the phrase whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, three different interpretations have been suggested: (1) Some suggest that this could refer to the suffering of Christ (“the one who has suffered”)—who, though he was not himself a sinner, took sin upon himself and then triumphed over it forever through his suffering and death. This interpretation seems unlikely, however, because “whoever” seems too broad and imprecise to be a clear reference to Christ. (2) Others have suggested that this is a reference to the believer being dead to the power of sin, as a result of having died with Christ (similar to Paul’s concept in Rom. 6:1–11). (3) More likely, Peter’s point is that when believers are willing to suffer, the nerve center of sin is severed in their lives. Although believers will never be totally free from sin in this life (cf. James 3:2; 1 John 1:8), when believers endure suffering for the sake of Christ they show that their purpose in life is not to live for their own pleasures but according to the will of God and for his glory.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2411.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2411.
Questions:
- In chapter 4, Peter is calling out the pretenders. He's basically saying, "Oh, you're calling yourself a believer? Then PROVE IT!" The first way to prove that you are the real deal is if you are ready to SUFFER. Most American christians today aren't willing to be uncomfortable or inconvenienced for their faith... these are probably posers, pretenders. Jesus said if we are to follow Him, we are to count the cost, take up our cross, and follow Him. What about you? Is your faith real and genuine? Is there proof of it in your willingness to suffer for Him?
- Peter says in verse 2 that the real deal christians will live to do the will of God and bring Him glory rather than chasing their own desires. Suffering will loosen your grip on things of the world and tighten around eternal things. Like the old hymn says, "And the things of earth will grow strangely diim in the light of His glory and grace." Is this true of your life? What do your actions prove about what you believe? Are you chasing your own desires or are you anxious to do the will of God?
Pray:
- That God would strengthen your faith in suffering.
- That you would prove you belong to Him by the way you live.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
No Comments