1 Peter 4:1-6English Standard Version
(ESV)
4 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, 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.
This scripture
passage rings true with me today. I have
never suffered a physical death like Jesus but I have experienced emotional
suffering. Even as a high school
student, I felt that I did not really “fit in” to the crowd. My mother used to tell me that these friends
that would only be my friend if you did what they wanted, were not true friends
at all. How true that is, and the
scripture is clear that we should not give in to their foolish ways of men. If
we have joy in the midst of trials they just say we are fake, if we hold we cry
they say we are weak, and if we defend ourselves they mock us. What then do we do to bring glory and honor
to God. Christ experienced all of that
while suffering on the cross for our sins, something I cannot fathom but know
is true. Why then, it is so hard to go
through ourselves? Why then do I feel
inadequate if things are not going as I would want them to go? How do I cloth myself in the righteousness of
Christ and live my life the way that He would want me to live it? How can I be happy once again? Do you ever have those questions? Well, I only have one answer to those
questions and that is to seek Him with all your heart. I have found that is the only way that I can
make it through, one day at a time.
Stand firm in your faith, do not let others destroy it. We are human, God gave us emotions, tears,
and fears so that we would lean on Him.
So, if you are suffering lean on Christ and do not let others destroy
your faith in Him. Do not let others
bring you to their low point but rather rise above it through faith in Christ.
As a child I
remember an evangelist coming to our church and saying if people with guns came
in right now and lined you up against the wall and said they would shoot you if
you did not deny Christ, would you die?
That has stuck with me all those years.
Often times I look at that wall and wonder. I want to say, yes, I would die for Christ
but until that day comes I can only hope that I would. Yet, I need to die to self and I need to know
what is self and what is God. I need to
live a life that allows me to see Christ in all things, live fully for Him, and
walk in His ways.
As we seek Him
today, we must know that His will is for us to love Him more deeply, trust Him
more fully, and love others while doing so.
When I am hurt I can come across as being insensitive, unkind,
standoffish, help me, Father, to be loving, kind, gentle, forgiving especially
when I suffer for your names sake.
Seeking Him with
all my heart,
Sheila
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