Reflections on 1 Peter 4:1-2
“For as much then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1-2).
Many think that Christians don’t or should not suffer but I beg to differ. After all, our dear Savior suffered who knew no sin. How much more should we suffer who are full of sin apart from Him.
We are bought with a price. When we come to Christ, we acknowledge that we are no longer our own but we desire Him to live in us and take over every part of our lives. As we do that, we become more willing to suffer and be tested however He wills because we know that the trying of our faith produces patience (James 1:3).
I am so grateful for a God who loved me so much He sent His only Son to suffer a cruel death so that I can have fellowship with Him. As I go through each day, I am striving to keep the Cross in my mind’s eye. Jesus did not die to give me a life of selfishness and ease. He desires my wholehearted service and obedience. How can I give Him any less?
I’m supposed to be “grateful” that God shows his love to me by allowing me to live a life that has been nothing but suffering? Perhaps if life were more balanced on the suffering scale, people like me (a Christian) would find it easier to give him that kind of respect. Jesus had a distinct advantage: he knew everything that was coming and everything that would happen before it happened and knew the time frame he would have to endure and what his ultimate purpose was. It’s unfair to ask us to endure and be “grateful” for that same suffering when we are not provided any of those advantages. It’s two different standards, yet God is fair and loving?