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"Arm yourselves also with the same mind"

Text: 1 Peter 4:1

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF HAVING SUFFERED

There are many positive things that can come out of our suffering for the Lord! Peter highlights some good effects.

“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 Peter 4:1-2

1. “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh”

a) Christ’s suffering for us.

i) This is a truth to be borne in our mind.

ii) This truth has been repeated a number of times in this epistle.

b) “Therefore”

i) This is known as an “inferential particle”.

ii) Knowing must affect us positively.

2. “Arm yourselves also with the same mind”

a) One important effect is that of “arming”.

i) The root word is that of a weapon.

ii) To arm oneself is to be in a battle mode.

iii) One part of being armed is to have armour.

iv) The other part is just as important- to have a strong mindset.

b) “The same mind”

i) We are to have the same mindset as that of the Lord Jesus Christ.

ii) We are to have the same attitude.

iii) We must not be afraid of suffering.

iv) We are in fact, ready to accept suffering.

3. “For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin”

a) Suffering enables us to understand why we live for Christ.

b) We see the sinful effects of sin even more clearly.

c) Within our heart, we have ceased from sin.

i) We have a changed mindset.

ii) We resist sin.

iii) We cease in our sinful ways.

4. “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men”

a) Our life on earth is brief.

b) There is much suffering:

i) In general.

ii) And for the sake of Christ.

c) We must not live in the flesh.

i) We would end up with lust.

ii) We must live for the Lord more determinedly.