October 14 | 1 Peter 4:1-2

3 days ago

2 min read

DAILY READING

1 Peter 4:1-2

REFLECTION

Living For the Will of God

By Beth Voltmann

In our reading today, I find myself picturing the apostle Peter and imagining that his own life circumstances were deeply woven into his writings to the Church. He was very familiar with the highs and lows of following Jesus. These are but a few:

Called by Jesus to leave his established fishing profession, instead to take up an unfamiliar vocation of “fishing for men”
Commended as “the rock” for recognizing Jesus as the Christ, then rebuked for being a stumbling block
Witness to the transfiguration of Christ, only to deny Him on Good Friday
Compelled to return to fishing after failure, yet restored again to shepherd Christ’s flock
Overseer of the Church, until the day came that he was crucified for his faith (upside down because he did not feel worthy to die in the same manner as his Savior)

Peter writes:

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,

arm yourselves also with the same attitude,

because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.

As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives

for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

(1 Peter 4:1-2)

As we live this life of faith, we will have joy and suffering. Peter instructs us to “arm” (or equip) ourselves with the “same attitude” that Christ had as He suffered:

Who, being in the very nature God,

did not consider equality with God

something to be used to his own advantage;

rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature of a servant...

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death –

even death on a cross.”

(Philippians 2:6-7a, 8b)

We must arm our minds to agree with Christ’s victory over our sin, taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ Jesus our Lord. As we learn to walk in Godly wisdom and understanding, as Peter did, we will find that our hearts are “done with sin” – no longer stirred by its incitements and seductions. The Holy Spirit is at work within us sanctifying us for God’s glory.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh

with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit,

let us keep in step with the Spirit.

(Galatians 5:24-25)

PRAYER

Father God, we pray today, “Your will be done”.

Christ Jesus, we worship you as our Redeemer and thank you for the example you established.

Holy Spirit, please continue to purify our hearts and turn us from our evil desires.

And he died for all,

that those who live should no longer live for themselves

but for him who died for them and was raised again.

(2 Corinthians 5:15)

You alone, Lord, are worthy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BETH VOLTMANN

After moving to Ohio in 1997 with my husband and four children, I developed a hunger for God’s Word through adult teaching and women’s Bible study at UALC. My passion is to help others understand Scripture so that they may grow in their desire for more of God and experience the new life offered to us through Christ Jesus.