1 Peter chapter 4

We must put on the mind (attitude) of Christ.  In 1 Peter chapter 4 we are told to arm ourselves with the same attitude as Christ.  Christ remained faithful and steadfast in His sufferings.  When we put on Christ, we put on life.  We are done with sin and death.  From the moment Christ is revealed to us and we receive His Spirit into our spirit we no longer live for evil human desires but we live to do the will of God.  In the past we did not know God’s will so we lived in and as the world lives.  Now, we have been transformed and no longer wish to join in to do what we know is wrong and evil.

We all will be judged.  Those living only in a body without a new spirit will be judged according to human standards.  When we live in God’s Spirit our accountability will be judged in body and in spirit according to our spiritual fullness, service, and obedience.  We are saved for good works, not by good works.  God’s Grace alone saves us.  Our good works and service are the result of our salvation.  We live a transformed life because our life is now IN Christ.  He abides in us and we abide in Him.  You cannot spiritually understand this concept just because it is told to you; a head knowledge.  You come to believe this by seeking and spiritually experiencing it for yourself; a heart knowledge.  I guarantee that you will never be or see things the same again.  Until one personally seeks for the truth of the gospel and receives it in his or her own life it will not be found.  

As the end of our lives, or the end of the age as we know it, approaches we are instructed to have an alert and sober mind so we can learn the things of God and be ready for that moment. 

We are told to:

1)      Love deeply

2)      Offer hospitality to one another graciously

3)      Use the gifts we personally have been given to serve others

4)      Be faithful servants and stewards of all we have been given

5)      Speak as God teaches and instructs us to do in His Word; in His strength with praise and thanksgiving

6)      God must be glorified in the world, in our lives, in our actions, and in all we say and do

We will be persecuted in the world for being faithful, being good, and remaining obedient to God.  I hold on to God’s promises in the Word.  I am told that if I share in Christ’s sufferings, I will also share in His Glory!  I will not be ashamed of my faith as I confess my belief in God the Father, Christ the Son, and in the Holy Spirit within me.  Judgment will begin with us; God’s people, God’s chosen.