ESOCS Devotional 13 May 2022
TEXT: 1 PETER 4:1-6
MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.” 1 Peter 4:1 NIV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
In Romans Chapters 5, 6 and 7, St. Paul discussed the character of those who live in the flesh. But in Romans Chapter 8, he turns his attention to how to live “life in the spirit”, which is opposed to “life in the flesh”. In Romans 6:3, weunderstand that those who have been baptized, now have a saved covenant relationship with God. At this point, the believer is no longer in a state of condemnation (Mark 16:16, Rom 8:1). He now lives the life of Christ, doing away withall fleshly life.
In our text today, Peter recounts what it cost Jesus to bring redemption to all humanity. He went ahead to advise that believers should respond to this wonderful grace of God by living the life of sacrifice, as Christ did. This lifestyle will includes readiness to endure persecution from the world. It will also mean abstaining from all sinful behaviours, while living the life of a spiritual man, having rejected Satan and all his works.
Peter opines that the one who suffers as Jesus, and for Jesus has the mind of Christ. Such is thus not living a life of sin.In Peter’s view, living for the will of God means that one has ceased from a life of sin (Eph. 2:1-3, Rom 6:7). Specifically, what does it take to live a life of Christ? It means living in obedience to the Gospel (John 1:13). In other words, living according to the word of God.
Therefore, child of God, it is now time to:
- Do away with all sinful sexuality and lusts
- Avoid wild parties and rowdy merry-making
- Abstain from drinking sprees
- Shun abominable idle worships, to mention but a few.
You are a servant of Christ Jesus; so, act like it.
- In these days of “washed-down” preaching, do you think it is still possible to do away with fleshly living? Comment.
- Lord Jesus, you suffered that humanity might be saved. Please give us the enabling grace to occupy till you return.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Exodus 2:1-25; 12:1-14; Revelation 1:4-18
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ESOCS Devotional 13 May 2022
