In what ways have you been
called to suffer in this life? What difference did that suffering make in your
life? Did it make you bitter or better? Did it produce in you life or death, or
both? Did you run to God or away from God? Did it teach you to love or to hate?
Did it humble you or harden you?
The Lord Jesus led me to read
1 Peter 4 (Select vv. ESV).
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. Vv. 1-2
In what ways did Jesus suffer
in the flesh? He suffered temptation to sin, yet he was without sin. He never
gave in. He suffered physically the types of things we suffer. He suffered
rejection, misunderstandings, false accusations, persecutions, mocking,
spitting, beatings and death on a cross, which was an excruciatingly painful
way to die. He suffered betrayal at the hand of one of his disciples, the
denial of another, and the abandonment of all when he was arrested on false
charges and put on trial.
But, the greatest suffering
of all, I believe, is when he, who knew no sin, took on the sins of the entire
world, and he actually became sin for us on that cross, that we might become
the righteousness of God. My own sins alone, from over my lifetime, would be
more than enough punishment, let alone him taking on himself the sins of the
entire world, that he might put our sins to death, so that we can be free. And,
included in this was that Jesus felt the abandonment of God the Father when he
became that sin for us, too. Thus, he asked of the Father why he had forsaken
him.
So, how can we arm ourselves
with that same way of thinking? What does suffering in the flesh have to do
with us being done with sin? Certainly, just because we suffer in this flesh of
ours, it does not automatically translate into us having the mindset that we
are done with sin, does it?
If we look at the context
here, I believe this is primarily referring to Jesus’ death on a cross for our
sins, for that is the suffering that brought about our death to sin, and his
resurrection is what brought about our new life in the Spirit, that we might
live to righteousness.
If we truly believe in Jesus
Christ, with God-given faith, which prefers what God prefers, because it has
been divinely persuaded of God as to God’s righteousness and holiness, and of
his will and purpose for our lives, then we, of the Spirit, are crucified with
Christ in death to sin, and we are resurrected with Christ to newness of life,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. The old has gone.
The new has come.
So, when we believe in
Christ, how does that change our thinking about sin? And, does it mean we will
never sin again?
As long as we live in these
flesh bodies, we will still have the propensity to sin, and we will be still
tempted to sin, but sin should no longer have mastery over our lives to where
we are ruled by it. We should be done with sin in the sense that we live for
the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will
of God. Amen! For, this is why Jesus died, that we might die to sin and live to
righteousness. We should now walk (conduct our lives) according to the Spirit,
and no longer according to the flesh (our worldly and lustful passions). And,
if we do sin, we repent, and we continue walking according to the Spirit, and empowered
by the Spirit.
For the time that is past suffices for doing what the
Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking
parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you
do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they
will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Vv. 3-5
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when
it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to
you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also
rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the
name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests
upon you. Vv. 12-14
So, now that we have died
with Christ to sin, and we live with Christ to righteousness, are we done with
suffering?
As long as we live on this
earth, and we live in human bodies, we will never be done with suffering. Not
only does faith in Jesus Christ mean death to sin and living to righteousness,
but daily we must put sin to death, by the Spirit, and daily we must take up
that armor of God with which to fight off Satan’s evil schemes against us, and
daily we must surrender to Christ to do his will.
Also, now that we are walking
according to the Spirit, and no longer according to the flesh, and we are
standing on the Word of Truth, and we are living separate (unlike, different)
from the world, because we are being made into the likeness of Christ, we can
expect to be persecuted just like Jesus was. We can anticipate that not
everyone is going to like us, because we don’t blend in with the world, and we
can figure that we will be treated as Jesus was treated. And, we should expect
to be mocked, criticized, ridiculed, called “crazy,” and insulted in all sorts
of ways because we no longer live our lives for human lusts but for the will of
God.
As well, we should not be
surprised if some of this mistreatment comes from within the church and from
church leadership. After all, who were Jesus’ greatest opponents and
persecutors? They were the religious leaders within the temple of God, who knew
better, but who were living double lives. And, it should not surprise us, too,
if some of this comes from our closest companions or family members, for Jesus’
family members persecuted him, too, and his closest companions betrayed, denied
and abandoned him.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be
self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep
loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show
hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use
it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever
speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by
the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Vv.
7-11
In all of this, though, no
matter how badly or unfairly we are treated, we are to return hate with love,
cursing with blessing, abuse with kindness, cutting remarks with truth and with
love, and unjust treatment with mercy and grace. For, this is how Jesus treated
and treats us who are so undeserving of his compassion and his forgiveness. If
our Lord went through all of that suffering for us so we can be free, then who
are we to do less than that so that others can be set free from their prisons
to sin.
My Prayer
An Original Work / May 30, 2011
“Fill me with Your Spirit;
help me to love others;
Let me know Your power;
be an overcomer.
Show me how to follow
Jesus Christ, my Savior;
Be His faithful servant
to obey Him always.
“Lead me with Your presence;
help me know the right way;
Teach me love and kindness,
generous compassion.
Give me grace and courage
to be Jesus’ witness,
Teaching His salvation
to a world who needs Him.”
Won’t you come and follow
Jesus Christ, your Savior?
He died so you’d be
free of control of your sin;
Free to follow His ways
in complete surrender;
Living sacrifices –
let His grace transform you.
Wednesday, January 10, 2018,
3:49 a.m. – Thank you, Jesus, for this teaching from your word. May it work its
way into our hearts and lives, and into our daily practices, and may we always
trust you and not fear.
No comments:
Post a Comment