When was the last time you suffered for being a Christian? How many of you have driven in Seoul? What happens when someone cuts you off? How do you react? Do you let your flesh take over? Maybe you have an annoying co-worker and you have the temptation to gossip about him/her. We all suffer in some way. However, instead of trying to avoid suffering, we need to arm ourselves. In this verse Peter says "since therefore" which points back to 1 Peter 3:17-18. Arm yourselves with a better mindset. You don't have to look for suffering to tackle it. You're a Christian and it will happen automatically. It's the same concept as "putting on your armor" in Ephesians 6. We need to arm ourselves spiritually. Christ suffered in the flesh, so we need to also arm ourselves with a spiritual mindset. Why can't we just pray for the suffering to disappear? In Matthew 16:16-19, you can assume Peter must be happy to hear these words. However, just a few verses later, Jesus said he was going to die but Peter said that there was no way that was going to happen and he would help make sure that it wouldn't. Jesus said, "Get behind me Satan..."showing that Peter's words were not a part of God's will. Peter had the mindset of man but Jesus armed himself with the mindset of God. He knew he was going to suffer and die, but this wasn't the end of the message or else it would be a sad and meaningless ending. Jesus loved his Father and completely trusted in Him. Jesus knew he would rise again, conquer death, and die for his people. In Luke 24:25-26, we see that Jesus knew his suffering would lead to exaltation and victory. If you're suffering now, your Father will still exalt you. It might not be on this earth, but it will definitely happen in Heaven if you love Jesus. Do you have the mindset, "My will be done", "I need more money to be comfortable", "Don't get into my personal space on the subway", "Don't bump me or I'll bump you back", etc.? What does it mean to cease to sin when suffering? You will suffer the consequences of following God instead of giving into your flesh. You no longer fall into human passions for the will of God. You grow in obedience. There's a direct correlation between obedience and suffering (Hebrews 5:8). All of the sins you used to commit before you were a Christian were enough. Today you can stop your constant habits because God is merciful. Repent and ask for forgiveness. Put it to death and arm yourselves. Maybe some of you lost friends or are being teased because you turned away from partying and drinking and are doing the right thing now. Verse 5-However, everyone will give an account to what they have done. ALL will be responsible (living or dead) for their actions (all the things you have or haven't done). Remember Romans 12:19. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. Perfect justice will happen on Judgment Day. Verse 6- We're all going to die in the flesh but it will all depend on if we received Christ as our Savior. Why was Jesus willing to suffer? Yes, he loved God and yes, he wanted to obey the Father. But he also loved us and wanted to bring us all together with Him in Heaven. Arm yourselves with the mindset of Christ. He loved his sheep. His will. His way. Always.
Scott Worden (L.A./Seoul Guy)
Instagram: l.a.seoulguy
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