Armed!

We have received snow twice this week and so I have gone out of the house "armed" with a snow shovel for creating a path to our vehicles and a broom for sweeping them off. In the Fall, when the leaves are falling from the trees, I "arm" myself with a rake. When I sit down to a meal I like to be "armed" with fork, knife and spoon for the action I plan to take. What we are facing determines that with which we "arm" ourselves. I do not want to rake my dinner plate and a spoon would make clearing even a small amount of snow a very slow process.

As Paul wrote to Christians going through a very challenging time in the history of Christianity, he exhorted. . .
"(1) Since therefore CHRIST SUFFERED in the flesh, ARM YOURSELVES WITH THE SAME WAY OF THINKING, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, (2) SO AS TO LIVE for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but FOR THE WILL OF GOD." ( 1 Peter 4:1-2 ESV)

In the previous chapter Peter had noted the suffering of these Christians even though they were doing good (as he would further in this chapter as well) and that of Christ. ( 1 Peter 3:13-18) The picture Peter seemed to have in mind in the text we are considering was that of a soldier going out to battle, "armed" with the weapons appropriate for the conflict. Resisting sin and temptation is an ongoing battle of life in this realm.

What is the MINDSET with which we need to be "armed" as we press on? As we recognize Jesus came to do (and did accomplish) the Will of God ( John 6:38-40; Hebrews 10:5-7) and sin is dealt with through His death on the cross, that is to be the "WAY OF THINKING" with which we too are to be "armed". Attitude, focus, resolve, etc., are powerful weapons -- if kept strong -- to conquer temptation. It is the "MIND OF CHRIST" ( 1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5) that we need to develop to aid us in conquering those things that could defeat us. May we be properly "armed" for pressing on in victorious living by continuing to develop the "same WAY OF THINKING" that was modeled for us by our Lord. With the help of God and the truths of His Word we can become suitably equipped for victory over sin as we valiantly press forward in doing His Will regardless of what the world might think.

Have a great day EQUIPPED FOR VICTORIOUS LIVING WITH CHRIST!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Focus