Scripture: 1 Peter 4: 1-6
Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude he did; you must be ready to suffer, too. For remember, when your body suffers, sin loses its power, 2 and you won’t be spending the rest of your life chasing after evil desires but will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things the godless enjoy—sex sin, lust, getting drunk, wild parties, drinking bouts, and the worship of idols, and other terrible sins.[a]
4 Of course, your former friends will be very surprised when you don’t eagerly join them anymore in the wicked things they do, and they will laugh at you in contempt and scorn. 5 But just remember that they must face the Judge of all, living and dead; they will be punished for the way they have lived. 6 That is why the Good News was preached even to those who were dead—killed by the flood[b]—so that although their bodies were punished with death, they could still live in their spirits as God lives.
Scripture Commentary:
Some people will do anything to avoid pain. However, as followers of Christ, 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.
A person whose life changes radically at conversion may experience contempt from his or her old friends. S/he may be scorned not only because s/he refuses to participate in certain activities but also because his or her priorities have changed. S/he is now heading in the opposite direction.
The basis of salvation is our belief in Jesus, but the basis for judgement is how we have lived. Is your life on the same track as before you were saved? Or have you begun to live for Jesus?
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