Suffering...Bring It!
"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin."
How did Christ suffer on earth? He obviously died a brutal death...the death of a thrown out criminal. I know this suffering was far greater than I can imagine, but I would argue that Christ's suffering in each day here may have been more hurtful. God himself, wrapped in flesh, dealing with humanity...on the street and in the temple. God's perfection meeting minute by minute a fallen, broken world created by His own hands. Watching as the people He meticulously created despise and reject Him. This is suffering.
How do I suffer for the cause of Christ? My death is yet to come. I don't know how that will happen, but I know how I live my days. Do I wake up with the attitude of suffering that Christ lived with? I fear I don't. How would my life change if I suffered in the face of humanity? What if my love for God's created and chosen people was so deep that I suffered at the thought of their choices and rejection of the cross? That would be true suffering.
Later in 1st Peter 4, Peter gives a snapshot of a community living with an attitude of suffering. He says, "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." (v. 7-10)
The deep love of Christ carries out an attitude of suffering. When I live with this attitude, I exemplify the New Testament church and ultimately, sin is "done." This intrigues me, not only because the sins of other people no longer hold my attention, but MY sin is overlooked. I have issues with judging others. Even more prevalent than that, I have issues of judging myself. I know who I really am and what I really think. Living with an attitude of suffering takes the focus off of me, getting over my own sin. The spotlight moves to center on a love for God's people. Oh, how I long to live in that place!
God, thank you for this equation! Thank You for first suffering for me, that I might live! Your attitude in living with humanity is what I desire. Make me a woman who sees each one with compassion. Position me to live with suffering for Your people, that sin would be done in my life. Show me today what that looks like for me. Give me a situation to show a deep love for others. Arm me with Your attitude today. I am humbled by Your endless compassion!
Amen.
1 Peter 4:1
Has this verse always been in Scripture? Sometimes I am surprised at the way Scripture is "new" to me. This passage in 1st Peter has evoked much thought and possibility! A formula for being done with sin?!?!?! At first glance a formula for being done with sin (for me) is freeing and exhilarating...until I look closer and realize that included in the equation is suffering. This may be too difficult for me to compute. I've never been one to invite suffering into my life. Let me see if I can work this out...How did Christ suffer on earth? He obviously died a brutal death...the death of a thrown out criminal. I know this suffering was far greater than I can imagine, but I would argue that Christ's suffering in each day here may have been more hurtful. God himself, wrapped in flesh, dealing with humanity...on the street and in the temple. God's perfection meeting minute by minute a fallen, broken world created by His own hands. Watching as the people He meticulously created despise and reject Him. This is suffering.
How do I suffer for the cause of Christ? My death is yet to come. I don't know how that will happen, but I know how I live my days. Do I wake up with the attitude of suffering that Christ lived with? I fear I don't. How would my life change if I suffered in the face of humanity? What if my love for God's created and chosen people was so deep that I suffered at the thought of their choices and rejection of the cross? That would be true suffering.
Later in 1st Peter 4, Peter gives a snapshot of a community living with an attitude of suffering. He says, "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." (v. 7-10)
The deep love of Christ carries out an attitude of suffering. When I live with this attitude, I exemplify the New Testament church and ultimately, sin is "done." This intrigues me, not only because the sins of other people no longer hold my attention, but MY sin is overlooked. I have issues with judging others. Even more prevalent than that, I have issues of judging myself. I know who I really am and what I really think. Living with an attitude of suffering takes the focus off of me, getting over my own sin. The spotlight moves to center on a love for God's people. Oh, how I long to live in that place!
God, thank you for this equation! Thank You for first suffering for me, that I might live! Your attitude in living with humanity is what I desire. Make me a woman who sees each one with compassion. Position me to live with suffering for Your people, that sin would be done in my life. Show me today what that looks like for me. Give me a situation to show a deep love for others. Arm me with Your attitude today. I am humbled by Your endless compassion!
Amen.
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