1 Peter 4:1
1 Forasmuch then as [oun] Christ [Christos] hath suffered [pascho] for [huper] us [hemon] in the flesh [sarx], arm [hoplizo] yourselves [humeis]
likewise [kai] with the same [autos] mind [ennoia]: for [hoti] he that hath suffered [pascho] in [en] the flesh [sarx] hath ceased [pauo] from sin
[hamartia]; KJV-Interlinear
1 Therefore, since Christ has
suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he
who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, NASB
Because Christ went to
the Cross, because Christ came into this world and suffered in our place,
because Christ performed the work of salvation making a path open to each one of
us, because Christ did all of this and more, making available for each one of
us a means for spiritual growth to maximum maturity and benefit forever, then arm
yourselves, says this verse.Because
you have this wonderful opportunity, then take advantage of it.
This armor is a
protective covering, both for offensive and defensive actions, as applied in a
military setting.
Our armor is Bible doctrine,
it is the shield for our soul, covering us over with Gods protection of
discernment, for seeing and recognizing truth, for possessing the orientation
to life, to people, to God, to understanding, to wisdom, to everything.
This armor is the armor
of thought, the thinking of your mind.
The same thinking that Christ possesses, which is the Word of God, the mind
of Christ.
Because when you live
outside of the fellowship of God, you by default live in the carnal realm of
the sin nature.And whether you admit it
or not, whether you recognize it or not, all life under the control of the sin
nature, is a form of suffering.
Some folks will laugh
at this comment, as they exercise their lusts and passions, never imagining
their activities as suffering, but more to pleasure than anything else.
But suffering does not
mean physical pain or mental pain only, suffering also means the repercussions
of ones chosen lifestyle. And those repercussions of a life lived under the sin
nature, will lead to loss of spiritual growth, and therefore loss of eternal
blessings.These blessings will not
become apparent until you actually see them and then lose them.
Imagine holding the
winning ticket for gazillions, seeing the pile of money so high that you cannot
even see the top, beginning your celebration for your good fortune, and then at
the last moment, someone comes along and takes it from you. You lose. The disappointment overwhelms you.
The jokes, the attitude, all suddenly have no meaning as they once did.
And so it is with
people who just will not get with their daily study program, with people who
will not buy into Gods plan, with people who never, or refuse, to see the
importance of their spiritual life.
It is far too easy to
ignore God and just live your life from day to day, but then no commitment means
no reward.But making a commitment means
Ugh! having to read the Bible everyday, having to confess perhaps several
times a day, having to monitor your thoughts constantly. It means no more fun in the sinful sense. It means having to share with others, that
which you have worked so hard for Ugh!
Such suffering!And for what?