Can you imagine the emotion, with which Peter (known to be emotional) wrote these words:

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God“.(1 Pet 4:1-2)

Peter knew what is was to be gloriously free! And he gives us insight into the way this freedom often comes… suffering.

Have you ever noticed that sin doesn’t seem to have the same grip on Christians who have suffered as those who have not?

Those who have walked the hard roads of trials, and held on to Jesus, seem to not get as easily tangled up in sin.

I see them. I know them. But I also know others —others who suffered in a different way to find their freedom.

They suffered as they wrestled with their own flesh but came out so very free.

They fought their own desires. They killed old habits, they took bad thoughts captive, and they slayed addictions.

It was far from easy, but they tore themselves away from old friends, and old places, where they used to find comfort, because they realized the lust of the flesh led only to destruction, but doing the will of God really did lead to life and peace.

They, too, seem to have a joy that surpasses anything this world has to offer.

Yes, suffering in the flesh is a great teacher and a chain breaker whether that suffering comes from enduring a gut-wrenching trial or fighting stronghold of temptation.

Oh, but when we have truly tasted the freedom of Jesus, other things that may have been part of our past lifetime, just lose their appeal- “lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.” (1 Pet 4:3)

For to follow Christ means His way over our way, in every way, every day. It’s total commitment and total surrender.

And the thing is, peace can never be found with only part of your life committed to Christ.

The Bible tells us, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8)

God knows it’s miserable trying to live that way.

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom 8:6 ESV)

Oh friend, do you need some life and peace? It can be found, even in the times of suffering, for those who deny themselves and follow Christ in real relationship with Him.

He carries us in the hard days, and He makes the good days even sweeter, again and again, as we lay our will down to His better way. ❤️

For this, I’m so very thankful. Aren’t you?

whataSavior

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