Peter's Pen 1Peter 4:1-2

1Pe 4:1-2  Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,  (2)  so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,

arm yourselves with the same way of thinking,

for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin

so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.


What was this, “way of thinking”?  I consider the following to be indicative of what is intended here.

Luk 22:42  saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

Php 2:5-8  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,  (6)  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,  (7)  but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  (8)  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Death will come to us all (save His return).  Whether our death is in Christ and for the cause of Christ we can but wonder.  However, it is our duty to be readying ourselves for that possibility.

Yet, death for Him is not all we must have His mind concerning.   Yet, His mind concerning death is not all we should have – emulate.

Php 1:29-30  For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,  (30)  engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Suffering.  You must know that in seeking to mortify (kill) the flesh you will suffer.  Inside and out you will suffer.  The flesh has no interest in dying nor even lessening its bid for control.  So, though we can expect tribulations in and from the world, so too can we expect tribulations in and from the flesh.

We must so frame our hearts and our minds that we are not knocked off balance or out of our lane by the attacks from the flesh.  Our minds must accept that we have the hope of heaven, the promise of heaven, but, as yet, we do not have heaven.  It is the firm assurance of heaven that should keep us steady in our course.
Look upon and pray upon the mind of Christ.

Luk 22:42  saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."

We read this passage and we miss a key word.  “Nevertheless!”  It is no shame to ask for deliverance as long as we are willing to accept “No,” for the answer.  It is no shame to feel trepidation, even fear in the face of that which is frightening as long as we are willing to trust in His strength.  It is no shame to pray, “remove this cup,” if we are willing to drink the dregs if it be His will and way.

This is the mind of Christ.  This is the will of God that we take hold and make our own, the mind of Christ.  So simple yet so hard that it takes the power of God to achieve.  The very thought of it is frighteningly wonderful – terrifyingly wonderful – but wonderful nonetheless.

And how is it to be done?  By submission and the obedience submission requires.  By asking and asking again.  By the hard work of study and prayer, fellowship and worship.

We must MUST be about our duty – the duty of renewing our minds under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit and by the Lord’s strength.  This is our only hope to be being conformed to His likeness.  If we fail in this, if we delay, hesitate, defer, then we will fulfill our mission poorly, if at all.

Pray that we will be convicted, that we will repent and that we will move forward in His power that He might be glorified in us and among unbelievers.