1 Peter 4:1-6 Sin In Our Lives, And Keeping It Out

Peter talks to us about what we’re going to do from this moment forward, and of prime importance is having a militant attitude toward sin.  It’s what Jesus had, and we’re called to be like Him.

 

We have to have that militant attitude toward sin because it’s too easy to get accustomed to sin again, my commentary says.  “Instead of having a militant attitude that hates and opposes it, we gradually get used to sin, sometimes without even realizing it … The one thing that will destroy the rest of our time is sin.  A believer living in sin is a terrible weapon in the hands of Satan.”

 

Peter gave us several reasons to oppose sin.  “Think of what sin did to Jesus.  He had to suffer because of sin.  How can we ENJOY that which made Jesus suffer and die on the cross?”

 

We can be ignorant of sin.  “He taught us the truth about it and lived it.  He dealt with the consequences of sin by healing and forgiving, and, on the cross, He dealt the final deathblow to sin itself.  He was armed with a militant attitude toward sin, even though He had great compassion for lost sinners.”

 

So how do we have victory over sin for the rest of our time?  “Suffering plus Christ in our lives can help … As we yield ourselves to God, and have the same attitude toward sin that Jesus had, we can overcome the old life and manifest the new life.”

 

My commentary also said we need to “enjoy the will of God.  The contrast is between the desires of man and the will of God … The will of God is so much better … it’s not a burden … The will of God comes from the heart of God and therefore is an expression of the love of God.  We may not always understand what He is doing, but we know that He is doing what is BEST for us.”

 

Finally, Peter tells us to remember what we were before we met Christ.  “We sometimes forget the bondage of sin and remember only the passing pleasures of sin … Our sins helped to crucify Christ.  How foolish to go back to that kind of life.”

 

Father, that’s what pains me the most about my sin – being deceived by Satan into forgetting the bondage sin places us in and remembering the passing pleasures of sin as though they were much better than they actually were.  Satan blinds and deceives us so!  And it hurts me so when I realize how I walk right into it every time, and in doing so, nail another nail into Jesus’ body on that cross!  How horrible that makes me feel.  Remind me often of my ignorance.  Keep the truth about sin and its consequences ever before me.  Help me keep a militant attitude toward sin stoked up and ready to defend against it.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford