love and changing our ways

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Peter has been talking about suffering: Christ's suffering and the suffering we are likely to face as his disciples. Today he moves from there to discipline. By this he means being focused on living the right way. He reminds his readers that they used to live immorally, but now as Christ's followers, they should live righteously, focused on Jesus. He encourages us to take our actions and speech seriously because God empowers us and calls us. He also reminds us that love is at the heart of the Christian life. If we live for love we will do well.

Blessings on your weekend rest and activity,
Sam

1 Peter 4:1-11

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), 2so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. 3You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry.



4They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. 5But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.



7The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 11Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.