Arm yourself with the same thought...

Arm yourselves with the same thought...

"So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God]" (1Pet.4.1 AMP)

This passage paints the picture of Christ Jesus suffering and that through suffering he rescued and saved us. And then asked us to arm ourselves with the same thought...  The thought that we would rather suffer if need be, than fail to please God. 

This brings up the picture of Isaiah 1.19 which speaks to the willingness and obedience of the believer. 

"If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land" (Isa.1.19)

Sometimes, the blessing is not in the obedience but in the willingness. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, he was willing, and in the willingness was the blessing. Willingness speaks to the state of the heart. And that is what the Apostle Peter speaks about when he says to arm yourself with the thought that you may likely stuff if need be rather than fail to please God. The attitude is I am willing to please You even if it means suffering. We see this in the story of Moses who chose to suffer affliction with his brethren than enjoy the pleasure of sin for a moment. 

"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Heb.11.25)

Sometimes, God just wants to see if you will be willing. "So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God].

Good day,
Have a great day today, 
EmmA (aka Mr. Lift) in
@Liftemma

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