Wednesday after the Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on November 18, 2020 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
The first four verses of chapter four harken back to the Spirit inspired Words of instruction for Christian life detailed in the verses of chapters two and three. We are again called to be sensible and sober-minded for the sake of our prayers, not allowing emotion and the flesh to get the best of us in any circumstance or vocation of life.
We are reminded once again that we are what we are because we have been made holy and sanctified for a life of blessed discipleship that strives to be a perfect copy of our Master and Teacher (in thought and deed). Our Lord has redeemed us from our former lives of fleshly, worldly, antichrist-like intents and behavior. You are righteous because He who redeems you is righteous; you are holy because He who died for your sins is holy. Look, sound, and think like what you, by the grace of God, are through faith! Remember who you are and what you are capable of as a redeemed child of God and disciple of Jesus Christ, purely by grace. This is possible, as said at the beginning of this chapter, because though we are in the flesh, we are not of the flesh. And though we are tempted by the flesh, we are controlled by the will of God and His Word.
Prayer: O God, the protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, multiply Your mercy on us that, with You as our ruler and guide, we may be found to be faithful to Your Word and will. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
