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1 Peter 4:1, 2 - Living the Will of God.

1 Peter 4:1, 2 - Living the Will of God.

1 Peter 4:1, 2 (NLT) 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. 
 

1 Peter 4:1, 2 (AMP) So, since Christ suffered in the flesh [for 
us, for you], arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose 
[patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God].  For whoever has 
suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] has done with 
[intentional] sin - has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases 
God. So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life 
living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what 
God wills. 

1 Peter 4:1, 2 (CWR) Since Christ suffered physically, you, too, 
might have to suffer. So arm yourselves with the same attitude He had. 
He who is willing to suffer for Christ shows that he has turned his 
back on sin  This means that you're no longer controlled by evil 
human desires but are eager to do God's will. 

WORD STUDY

Ceased from sin. That is, he has abandoned sin as a way of life. 
Peter does not mean to imply that the person here referred to no 
longer makes mistakes, but that he has turned his back on the world, 
the flesh, and the devil, and that, by God's grace, he has set out 
to follow in the footsteps of the Master. [SDA Bible Commentary] 

Will of God. The life of one who has "ceased from sin" follows a 
new course altogether. His will is subject to the will of God as the 
compass is to the magnetic pole. He walks, "not after the flesh, but 
after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). [SDA Bible Commentary] 

CONTEXT AND OVERVIEW

   Do not be controlled by the past (1-6). People who have been 
born again through faith in Christ (1:23) should not allow the old 
life to control them. The past has been buried, and they are new 
creatures in Christ. Furthermore, life is too short to waste it on godless 
living, especially when you realize that one day we will all stand 
before God. 
   Be serious about the present (7-11). No matter how difficult 
life may be, there is a job to do; and we must be faithful. Take time 
to pray. Show love to the saints. Use your gifts and talents to 
serve others. The Lord who gave you the ability will also give you the 
strength to use it for His glory. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by 
Warren Wiersbe] 

APPLICATION COMMENTARY

The one who has identified with Christ's redemptive suffering is 
no longer responding to the lusts of the flesh, but to the will of 
God. [New Bible Companion] 

Now that Christ's attitude prevails, God's will is the 
determining factor in life. [NIV SB] 

Christian character centers on knowing and doing the will of 
God, not on giving in to fleshly lusts or worldly pressures to 
conform. [Disciple SB] 

True Christians make the will of God, not their own lust or 
desires, the rule of their lives and actions. [Matthew Henry Commentary 
Concise] 

What is the will of God? Peter's answer is that the believers 
should: 
*	do good (2:15)
*	act toward others with respect and love (2:17)
*	revere God (2:17)
*	be prepared to suffer for doing good (3:17)
*	be finished with sin (4:1)
*	reject evil human desires (4:2)
*	reject the shameful actions of the Gentiles (4:3)  (Life 
Application Commentary) 

Some people will do anything to avoid pain. As followers of 
Christ, however, we should be willing and prepared to do God's will and 
to suffer for it if necessary. Sin loses its power to defeat us in 
our suffering if we focus on Christ and what he wants us to do. When 
our bodies are in pain or our lives are in jeopardy, our real values 
show up clearly, and sinful pleasures seem less important. If anyone 
suffers for doing good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering, 
that person has made a clean break with sin. [Life Application SB] 

Open the windows of the soul heavenward, and let the light of 
the Sun of Righteousness in. Do not complain. Do not mourn and weep. 
Do not look on the dark side. Let the peace of God reign in your 
soul. Then you will have strength to bear all your sufferings, and you 
will rejoice that you have grace to endure. Praise the Lord; talk of 
His goodness; tell of His power. Sweeten the atmosphere which 
surrounds your soul... Look on the bright side of everything. 2SM266, 7 

ILLUSTRATION

   One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle 
that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 
wolves. 
   "One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, 
arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, 
superiority and ego. 
   The other is God. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, 
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, 
and faith." 
   The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his 
grandfather, "Which wolf wins?" 
   The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed." [source 
unknown] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really 
your God. -- Martin Luther 

GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART

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