Arm Yourselves with Christ’s Way of Thinking
1 Peter 4:1-6
Earlier in this letter, Peter wrote, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” (1:13-15) Through the lens of suffering for the sake of Christ, Peter returns to this insight of right thinking.
The Battle is Our Human Passions against the Will of God
I want versus what God wants
Evil, bad, okay, and even good versus what is best
Cravings of the flesh versus yearning of the spirit
Immediate pleasure versus delayed gratification
Every Battle Has an Endgame
We all will give account to the judge of the living and the dead
Christ offers life
Suffering is Part of the Path to Victory
Count the cost and treasure Christ
Choose (mind/thinking) to yield to suffering for Christ
Embrace the motivation of Christ
“Look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Allow suffering to shape and refine faith in Christ
