For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit…
Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin—in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will. (1 Peter 3:18, 4:1-2)
Yesterday at church, my pastor was talking about changing our paradigms.
I suppose one of our greatest paradigms is who or what we’re living for. And Peter makes it clear. Our contract with sin is broken. Jesus died so that we might be freed from the power and penalty of sin.
Because of this, our paradigm is no longer to “follow your heart,” to simply follow our instincts, feelings, and desires which would lead us into sin.
Our paradigm is to live for the God who loved us enough to send his Son for us.
And so Peter tells us to be alert and sober-minded, seeking God’s will, wisdom, and strength, moment to moment, day to day. (1 Peter 4:7)
But we aren’t to do this alone. We are to do it in community.
When we are alone, we sometimes let our guard down and end up falling into sin. But through the love of our brothers and sisters, we can find healing and restoration.
That’s why Peter tells us,
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
I can’t help but think Peter was thinking about his own experience.
When he fell because he had let down his guard (Mark 14:37, 66-72), it was the love of Jesus that restored him.
So let’s take on our Lord’s paradigm, not living for our own will, but for the will of our Father who loves us deeply. And let us do so…together.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 