Day 8 - 1 Peter 4:1-11

1 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. 5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.

7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.


Terrie's Comments:
There is a cost to following Jesus Christ.  We are to decide to follow Him with our whole heart, mind, soul, strength.  We are called to renew our minds in the word of God and take every thought captive into obedience to that word.  And if being transformed into the image of Christ causes suffering, even physical suffering or death then He promises it will be worth it because we live with our eyes fixed on heaven.  

This world is temporary.  Let us not waste our time chasing after temporary pleasures.  Be earnest and disciplined in our prayers. show deep love for each other.  Using all resources and gifts that God gives us to bring glory back to him!


Tori's Comments:

There is SO MUCH about suffering in Paul's letters, partly I assume because of the persecution at that time, but also because I think it's a central part to the Christian lifestyle. So my question is... what if I'm not being persecuted. I mean, I'm at a Bible college. 

I think that if we are standing firm on the truth, persecution inevitably will come our way. And when it does, we will be brought closer to Christ through it.


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!