OUR REPURPOSED IDENTITY
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Opening Prayer
Father, I look to you to teach me through your Word today. Show me how to live for you in ways that bring you glory and make my life lived with you a testimony to those around me.
Read 1 PETER 4:1–11
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Living for God
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflect
How much do you believe you are who God says you are?
Malcolm Muggeridge reflected on his life, having been successful and popular and having acquired wealth and traveled widely. He described these things as “exercises in self-gratification [that were] pure fantasy, what Pascal called ‘licking the earth.’”1 Perhaps some of us who read Encounter with God have dramatic conversion stories. Others may not. Whatever our lives were like before being committed to Jesus, we all have a before-and-after story. All of us will have had some driving passion other than submission to God. By submitting these passions anew to his lordship, we may see that Peter is writing to us about the reality of giving ‘account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead’ (v. 5).
Yet the thrust of this passage is not about repenting our misspent years! The focus is future-positive, to live actively, energetically, and lovingly for our forgiving God, to whom we pray with sobriety and self-control (v. 7, ESV). In assessing our past, we actively seek to make amends from the inside out by warmly embracing, loving, and giving to others as our raisons-d’être. We may show hospitality through a meal or two to others, by teaching the Bible, or by increasing our financial giving through the church or charitable organizations. Whichever it is, the root cause is a loving and active, reverential respect for God—mindful of the very limited time we have on earth.
Peter betrayed Jesus, repented, and took the second chance that Jesus gave him.2 He found renewal, purpose, and a powerful sense of identity in living only for the will of God. These very same words of Peter’s are now a living part of the Bible. Are they an organic part of us?
Apply
Our faith in Jesus leads us to contrition and repentance. Today, praise him for the transformations he has worked in and through you.
Closing prayer
Faithful God, keep me ever mindful of your love and care for me, no matter what my circumstances are. Please use my life as a testimony of faith in your trustworthiness.
1 https://www.azquotes.com/author/10521-Malcolm_Muggeridge. 2 John 21.
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