ESOCS Devotional 13 October 2024 – Living for God
MEMORY VERSE: “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” (1 Peter 4:1-2 ESV)
TEXT: 1 PETER 4:1-11
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 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. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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Peter is still writing hope and encouragement to those who are suffering as Christians. Peter repeatedly relied upon the example of Jesus’ suffering. Jesus suffered for doing right. Jesus suffered as a just person for the world who was unjust and unrighteous. When Jesus suffered, He still acted righteously. He did not retaliate and return evil for evil. Knowing that Jesus suffered in the flesh in this way, we need to prepare our minds for the same way of thinking. Since Jesus suffered, we need to understand that we will suffer. We need a firm resolve and attitude that we will suffer as Jesus suffered because we are followers of Jesus.
We show spiritual maturity when we arm ourselves with the mind to suffer rather than sin. Jesus chose to suffer rather than sin because He was dead to sin. Jesus consistently chose to obey God, even though it meant that He would suffer for that choice. We need that resolve. Too often, our attitude is to avoid suffering. We would rather not suffer. So, we will commit sin to avoid suffering. But we have been called to avoid sin. By avoiding sin, we will suffer.
What are we living our lives for? Peter said that we are not to live our lives for human passions, but for the will of God. We have spent enough time in the past indulging in human passions and lusts. Which direction will you choose for your life? If our life is about pleasure and comfort, then we are going to choose the road of sin so that we avoid suffering. We want to look like the world and act like the world so that we are not different and do not suffer. If our life is about Jesus, then, we will reject looking like the rest of the world and will arm our minds with the knowledge that we will suffer for Jesus. We will suffer for practicing lifestyle evangelism. We will suffer for responding to evil with righteousness. We will suffer for aligning our lives with the Living Stone. We will suffer by being preachers of righteousness in this society.
- What is your choice, to suffer with Jesus or to turn and enjoy the pleasures of this world?
- Father, guide my thoughts to become like my Lord Jesus’ thoughts.
Further Reading: Job 4:1-end; Proverbs 18:9-end; 2 Corinthians 1:1-14
ESOCS Devotional 13 October 2024
