Verse of the Day 8/31
1 Peter 4:1-2 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.?? New Living Translation (NLT)
Our men's Bible study group covered this passage in this morning's study.?? It serves as a reminder to us that there will be times in our lives when we will suffer.?? It may be pain, illness, loss or any number of things as varied as the colors of the spectrum.?? The thought is found elsewhere throughout the Bible.?? Jesus' half brother James wrote that we are to "count it all joy when we meet various trials" knowing that the testing of our faith produces endurance.
Here, Peter calls on his readers to "arm themselves" with the same attitude that Jesus had.?? The verb in the Greek "hoplizo" means literally to "arm oneself with weapons".?? You didn't see Jesus walking around with weapons so what was He armed with??? Among other things He had resolve; He knew the will of God the Father; and an eternal perspective.?? We can have the same things.?? The mention of being armed should quickly bring to mind what the Apostle Paul wrote of in the book of Ephesians where in chapter 6 he called on his readers to put on the full armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-18 The Whole Armor of God
10??A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.??11??Put on all of God???s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.??12??For we[a]??are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13??Therefore, put on every piece of God???s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.??14??Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God???s righteousness.??15??For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16??In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c]??17??Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18??Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.?? New Living Translation (NLT)
One of the things that can happen as a result of suffering is coming to the realization of just how precious life is, giving you a better perspective and focus and causing you to live from that point on with purpose.?? In other words you'll be ready to do God's will.
Purify My Heart,
Let Me be as Gold and precious Silver.
Purify My Heart,
Let Me be as Gold, pure Gold.
Refiner???s Fire,
My Heart???s one desire
Is to be??? Holy;
Set apart for You, Lord.
I choose to be??? Holy;
Set apart for You, My Master,
Ready to do Your will.?? (Purify My Heart?? - Eugene Greco)
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
1 Peter 4:1-6??English Standard Version (ESV)
Stewards of God's Grace
4??Since therefore??Christ suffered in the flesh,[a]??arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for??whoever has suffered in the flesh??has ceased from sin,??2??so as to live for??the rest of the time in the flesh??no longer for human passions but??for the will of God.??3??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.??4??With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of??debauchery, and??they malign you;??5??but they will give account to him who is ready??to judge the living and the dead.??6??For this is why??the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
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