(1Peter 4:1-2) 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.
As Christians all things become new! It is our mind and the way we think that I will consider in the early hours of this morning, the sun is far from rising and yet the birds have already began to call out, they speak another language, it is sweet to the ear. I am convinced they cry out, “to God be the glory forever and ever amen!” Ok, maybe not those exact word, yet they without question praise and give homage to the great I Am, the One who has no beginning or end, the One who is the Father of Lights and the merciful and gracious only true living God who sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus to pay the price for sin and redeem the called who where lost and without any purposeful direction, who where dead in their trespass and sin but now have found life. What a great God I serve and you serve all of you who believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead and have confess Him as Lord with your mouths.
“All things have become new!” At salvation we receive sight to see what we once could not see, the kingdom of heaven. We are taught that we are new creatures in Christ. We are told to present our bodies as a living sacrifice and we are also told not to be conformed to this world, but to renew our minds. How must we renew our minds? If we are left hanging in the air with this as an open ended liberal workshop, it would leave us to our own devises and a lot of guess work and a doctrine of experience and people’s opinion would reign supreme. I am not sure that already isn’t at work today. If we look around we see churches, people and opinions all screaming out to be heard and be recognised as the ones with the answers. However, they do not have sound doctrine as their foundation. Paul however goes on to teach us that by testing we may discern the will of God, what is good, acceptable and perfect. What must be tested? Firstly we must prepare ourselves for the test. Let me use a simple example like making a cup of coffee. I need a stove, a pot, water, a cup, some coffee, milk and sugar. I make sure I have what it takes to make a cup of coffee. It would be foolish to attempt making coffee without any of those items. In like manner the testing Paul refers to starts out with an appeal “by the mercies of God, for us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice.” The optimal benefit for believers to test the will of God for our lives must begin with our bodies presented as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship (reasonable service). He then instructs “not to be conformed to this world”, what does that mean? This is a subject without end! One point I will make, “let God be true and every man a liar”, and this would be a good place to start. The word of God is the final authority in this life and the life to come, it is our compass to eternal life and must be valued above all else. You may say what about Jesus? Yes it is all about Him, He is the word of God. Remember the Lords word, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” So, whatever the Lord has said and whatever is recorded in the word of God will come to pass, no debate, no casting of lots and no ballad boxes to hear the voice of the people. Whatever God has settled in his heart will come to pass.
If we can find ourselves settled with God’s word as marrow for our bones and eye salve for our eyes, if we can step out in faith and believe that God is for us and not against us. We must stop wrestling and always looking for the loop holes. There isn’t one! O that God would help us find grace to trust and obey.
Now that we have prepared ourselves we must now our arm our minds with correct information; what use is a gun without bullets? And what use are bullets that do not match the calibre of a particular gun? It may look threatening from a distance, but when called upon it would be rendered useless. In like fashion if we (believers) are not built upon the rock, when the storms come, great will be our fall. Therefore let us arm our minds with the right information; this now leads us into text...
“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.”
Peter teaches very clearly that since Christ suffered in the flesh, we must arm ourselves with the same mind. It will not help us if we try and arm our mind with any other wannabe different type of doctrine. This will be no more effect that a gun without bullets. As first glance the text seems harsh and unkind, but when unpack it with care we see God’s love manifest there. How you may ask? “Whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin”, it is only sin that keeps us away from the will of God for our lives. I want us to remember our Saviour encounter in the garden of Gethsemane, remember His prayer. He cried out, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." It was such an intense experience that He began to sweat drops of blood. His willingness to go his Father’s way has opened a way for you and me to have sweet fellowship with an almighty God and yet he deals with us as sons.
Now with that thought and our Saviour example in mind and we see what He accomplished on our behalf. Just imagine if we arm our mind with the same mindset, what we will accomplish for the will of God and how helpful will we be to others? We must arm ourselves with this mindset, we have no other choice. May our God continue to pour out His mercy and grace so that we may learn to walk in obedience bringing glory to His name. Yes, I agree some of our examples have been somewhat appalling. However, remember we must leave those things that are behind, and press on to the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Signing off
Tyrone
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