Since Christ Suffered in His Body, Arm Yourselves With the Same Resolve
1 Peter 4:1
(Photo by Shafagh Faridifar on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible)
1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
Peter is writing to believers who are experiencing persecution and suffering. To strengthen them, he points them to Jesus. He reminds them that Jesus suffered in His body, enduring the cross out of love and in order to deal with sin.
He then calls believers to adopt this same mindset. When he says “arm yourselves,” he is showing that the Christian life involves spiritual battles and requires intentional resolve.
When a believer embraces this mindset and is willing to suffer rather than sin, it demonstrates that sin no longer rules their life. “Done with sin” does not mean sinless perfection, since believers still struggle with sin, but it does mean there has been a decisive break from sin’s control. By faith, the believer is now choosing a life of righteousness instead of continuing in sin.
And in the midst of this, God Himself supplies the strength needed to endure and persevere. ~ Jeff M Newman
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John 17:1-3 When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. 2 For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
Receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and be a witness for Jesus. Spread the message of Jesus to the ends of the earth.
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