Tuesday after the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on November 15, 2022 by under
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-7 (NKJV)
4:1 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, 2 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. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
Devotion
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross served not only to affect our salvation, but it also serves as the source and example of our sanctification. St. Paul writes that “our old man was crucified with [Christ], that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” (Rom. 6:6). Paul’s life, too, is an example in this way that, as he spent the first part of his life persecuting the Church, he spent his ministry serving it, even at his own peril. We should share this mindset: We have spent enough of our lives being influenced by our flesh and the way of the world.
Let us, instead, live unto Christ for the sake of the Gospel. The world thinks it strange that we do not indulge desires of our flesh, but live for the life of the world to come. We know that this world and all its passions and lusts will eventually be destroyed, while “he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17) It is not an easy thing to resist the temptations of the devil, the world, and our flesh—it is a day-to-day battle! And so, St. Peter urges us to “arm ourselves” with the mind of Christ. Paul, too, tells us to dress in the armor of God so that we may fight the good fight of faith and stand on the Last Day sharing in Christ’s victory.
Prayer: O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Thy Holy Spirit, that being ever mindful of the end of all things, and the day of Thy just judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with Thee forever hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
