Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
(1 Peter 4:1-2 KJV)
I have been reading through 1 Peter with my family, and the Lord has been laying heavily certain portions upon my heart. This living Word is truly awe inspiring.
The scripture above is the latest laid upon my heart in combination with 1 Peter 2:2-6 from which the title of this post is from. Have I been serving myself each day or to the will of God? This is a question every person reading should ask to themselves, are you doing the will of the Father every day?
I hear you saying, “I go to church on Sunday.”, “I serve, I even go on Wednesday’s…” Ok, is that the extent of God’s will? What about the other days? “Well that is just not practical,” I have been told. It does not matter what is practical or not, what is easy or not. It only matters if you are following God’s Word.
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
(1 Peter 2:2-6 KJV)
What I am talking about is milk, not strong meat. The milk of the word is that we are “an holy priesthood.” Did the Levites live for themselves, or were they separated and holy.
At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
(Deuteronomy 14:28-29 KJV)
The Levites were separated to God’s work only. Insomuch as they were lumped in with the stranger, fatherless, and the widow to come eat a portion of the tithe. They worked tirelessly for the Lord, or were supposed to.
Back in 1 Peter 2 we, true followers of the Messiah, are a holy priesthood and are the temple of God. It makes the whole statement of “Going to Church” invalid as you either are or are not the Church, the Body of Christ.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
(1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV)
As these priests we offer up spiritual sacrifices. Types of spiritual sacrifices are laid out in Psalms 51:16-17.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
(Psalms 51:16-17 KJV)
Humility before the Lord. Obeying His Commandments. Loving the Lord with all you are. Loving your neighbor as yourself. Preaching the Gospel. Edifying the saints. Doing all things as unto the Lord…
This is what the One True God wants from His followers and 1 Peter 4:1 reminds us why.
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
(1 Peter 4:1 KJV)
Christ suffered in the flesh for each of us and we should have the same mindset to suffer for Him. And if we suffer for Him we cease from sin.
Yes the word of God specifically tell all who follow Him to stop sinning, completely. A topic to be fully covered another day. We stop sinning because…
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
(1 Peter 4:2 KJV)
And…
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
(1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV)
We no longer live the rest of our time doing what we want, but exclusively the will of God. Did Jesus do what He wanted in His time upon the earth?
And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
(Mark 14:36 KJV)
Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
(John 5:19 KJV)
No. Jesus did the will of the Father. He did what He saw the Father do. He bent His will to the Father.
Dear Christian. Do the will of the Father, do it every day. Eschew evil, keep Jesus’ commandments, stop sinning, and walk in the Spirit every moment of every day.
Bless all who read,
Timothy
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(Ephesians 6:10-11 KJV)