What are you living life for?
1 Peter 4:1-4 (NIV)
"Therefore since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do - living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you."
Christ was blameless and did not sin, yet suffered on the cross for our sins so that we may be eternally saved. Since Christ suffered here on this earth we can expect to do the same in our earthly bodies. We can expect to be looked down upon by sinners that do not know the love of Christ. We can expect persecution and for the devil to attack our every weakness. This is a harsh reality about being a Christian.
I hear a lot of preachers' sermons that are about prosperity and blessing, yet they skip over the fact that you will be attacked and suffer in your flesh. Many may be to proud to admit the internal struggle that we go through as a Christian. I know personally that I am tempted to sin and I am at war with the carnality of my body. I often fail and need to ask Christ for forgiveness. The anger and inadequacy I feel with myself when I sin is tremendous. Yet, it shows me more than ever that I need Christ and the salvation that he provides. There is no way that I could be "good" enough to get to heaven on my own.
I know, that verse 4 is one of the truest statements that you may find as a Christian who was not saved as young child. When I was saved many people criticized me when I refused to go out and drink with them, or refused to go to a party. They would mock me and say, " what are you too good for us now?" Others would say, "you'll never make it," or, "I'll give it two weeks," when I said, "I am abstaining from per-marital sex."
The point here is that when you turn your life over to Christ, the world will be shocked that you are not like them. When God changes your viewpoint to align with scripture and his will, others will attack you, because you are no longer seeing things in a worldly manner. The devil will allow others to verbally attack you, discourage you, harass you, and make you feel like an outcast.
We are to be in this world but, not of it. We are to serve others and love those around us. We are to abstain from evil, and let our actions speak for themselves. We are called to live righteous and blameless lives in this world. In doing so that others may see and come to know Christ. Looking back at 1Peter 3:8-9 "Finally, all of you, be like minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
Challenge: Take this week to evaluate what you are living your earthly life for. If you are living for earthly desires I pray that you would repent and begin living your life for Christ. If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and savior I pray that you would now before it is too late. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
"Therefore since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do - living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you."
Christ was blameless and did not sin, yet suffered on the cross for our sins so that we may be eternally saved. Since Christ suffered here on this earth we can expect to do the same in our earthly bodies. We can expect to be looked down upon by sinners that do not know the love of Christ. We can expect persecution and for the devil to attack our every weakness. This is a harsh reality about being a Christian.
I hear a lot of preachers' sermons that are about prosperity and blessing, yet they skip over the fact that you will be attacked and suffer in your flesh. Many may be to proud to admit the internal struggle that we go through as a Christian. I know personally that I am tempted to sin and I am at war with the carnality of my body. I often fail and need to ask Christ for forgiveness. The anger and inadequacy I feel with myself when I sin is tremendous. Yet, it shows me more than ever that I need Christ and the salvation that he provides. There is no way that I could be "good" enough to get to heaven on my own.
I know, that verse 4 is one of the truest statements that you may find as a Christian who was not saved as young child. When I was saved many people criticized me when I refused to go out and drink with them, or refused to go to a party. They would mock me and say, " what are you too good for us now?" Others would say, "you'll never make it," or, "I'll give it two weeks," when I said, "I am abstaining from per-marital sex."
The point here is that when you turn your life over to Christ, the world will be shocked that you are not like them. When God changes your viewpoint to align with scripture and his will, others will attack you, because you are no longer seeing things in a worldly manner. The devil will allow others to verbally attack you, discourage you, harass you, and make you feel like an outcast.
We are to be in this world but, not of it. We are to serve others and love those around us. We are to abstain from evil, and let our actions speak for themselves. We are called to live righteous and blameless lives in this world. In doing so that others may see and come to know Christ. Looking back at 1Peter 3:8-9 "Finally, all of you, be like minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
Challenge: Take this week to evaluate what you are living your earthly life for. If you are living for earthly desires I pray that you would repent and begin living your life for Christ. If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and savior I pray that you would now before it is too late. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
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