MAKE IT COUNT

MAKE IT COUNT

READ:
1 Peter 4:1-8

Since Christ suffered for us
in the flesh, arm yourselves
also with the same mind.
-1 Peter 4:1

In his battle with cancer, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Inc., said:  "Remember that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.  Because almost everything-all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure-these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important."  His suffering influenced the choices he made.

In contrast, the apostle Peter wanted to motivate his readers to use their suffering to make their lives count for eternity.  And he wanted Jesus' suffering and death to inspire them to accept the spiritual conflict and persecution that would result from bearing the name of Jesus.  Because they loved Jesus, suffering was going to be normative.  Jesus' suffering was to serve as motivation to give up sinful passions and to be obedient to the will of God (1 Peter 4:1-2).  If their lives were going to count for eternity, they needed to stop indulging in fleeting pleasures and instead exhaust their lives on what pleased God.

Remembering that Jesus suffered and died to forgive our sins is the most important thought we have to inspire us to make godly choices today and to make our lives count for eternity. -Marvin Williams

Jesus, You have suffered and died to forgive our sins;
may Your death and resurrection inspire us to never
return to where we've been.  Help us to our resolve
to live for Your will alone.
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Jesus' death forgave my past sins
and inspires my present obedience.

INSIGHT
 In this passage, the apostle Peter provides spiritual counsel on suffering and temptation.  Christ is held up as our example of the One who suffered righteously (v..1-2).  The believer is to submit to the will of God, not to the will of nonbelievers (vv.3-4), because, Peter explains, how we live our lives ultimately meets divine judgment (vv.5-6).  The application of this reality is that we are to be alert and vigilant in our spiritual walk.  The key characteristic we are to manifest is fervent Christlike love (vv.7-8)

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace