1 Peter 4:1-11

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 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. They are surprised that you do not join them in the reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 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 regards to the spirit. The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, ad faithful stewards of God's grace in it's various forms. 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 though Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen,


All throughout the new testament we see our call for follow Christ. These calls shares all the same central themes ever time. We are to die to sin and be born again through Christ. We are to suffer as Christ suffered, and show our brothers and sisters the same love that Christ showed us. This passage is no exception to the rules. In this passage in Peter we see what we are called to do in a life in Christ. We are told that we are supposed to share the same mindset as Christ did. Christ suffered in body and so should be. Christ never once said that following him was going to be easy, he warned us ahead of time that people will hate you for it, families with have each other put to death as a result. But Christ also tells us of the greatest reward of all which is salvation through him, an eternal life in Christ.
We are called to die to our sinful nature and be born again through Jesus. But to do this we must give up everything, we must lay to rest our sinful lives that we once lived. We will all be judged accordingly to our lives. Christ gives us all the same message, to those who are saved through Christ and to those who choose not to be. We will all be judged accordingly and justly. We are called to give up our lives of partying, and premarital sex. We are called to stop putting our jobs and family before God. We are called to stop lusting after things that we do not need. This is where slot of us get snagged up. We want to live a life in Christ but we do not want to give up the life we are living. We convince ourselves that we can still live through Christ and in Christ and still party on the weekends, and still be living with out boyfriend/girlfriends and sleeping together before marriage. As my religion teacher, Mr. Lenzini, once described it: we want our relationship with Christ to be like a grocery store. We want to be able to walk down the aisle and pick and choose what is the most suiting to us. But this is not the case. A life in Christ is a all or nothing deal. He wants us to fully follow him and not to do it half heartedly.
As you continue through the passage we then see a call to love each other completely. The bible tells us the love covers a multitude of sin. We then see another call to use the gifts and talents that God has given us. We are all gifted in various ways and we are all called to use these gifts to further the kingdom of God and to serve one another. We all have different passions in this world that the Holy Spirit has placed in our heart on purpose. If you were to come into my house you would see 6 different passions for Gods people: Aunt Karen: cancers. Rachel: childrens cancers and illnesses, Anna: Africa, Uncle Tony: music, Me: helping others to realize their God given gifts and how to use them, as well as children's ministry. I'm my house alone you see a perfect example of just a handful of gifts and passions God has given us. Look around your house, what gifts and passions has God put into your family? Pretty cool huh!
We should always be warm and welcoming to each other showing hospitality to each other. We should always be examples of Christ, always showing love and grace. We are called to live a life in Christ every day and not just on Sundays, it is said that Christ is coming and not a single person, not the heavens not the Son himself knows the minute nor the hour but only God himself. We should always be on watch for Christ.
I think this passage is one that effects not just me but everybody. When trying to live a life in Christ it is hard for us to give up the comforts that we are used to. Over the past year I have not given as much time to Christ that he has called me to. He has placed "jobs" in my heart that need to get done that I have not given enough attention to. As I begin to find what it is required to live a life in Christ the more I realized how much more I need to devote to him. And the more I find this out the more the devil attacks my heart and ambitions. It went as far as the devil attacking my dreams of youth ministry. While I was at Urban Camp the devil continued to torment my mind making me think I was not cut out to do children's ministry. I actually heard myself think: you suck at this, why and who could I ever think I was cut out to bring children to Christ. But luckly through my prayers, and the prayers of my friends and family I pushed past those attacks and had an amazing week. With the path I am on I am happy that I have a job that allows me to get the time off to serve him for things such as VBS and Urban Camp. I am even happier to say that I get Fridays off every week (starting next month) to help with the Tims House Ministy and then help with Kids Klub (which I am super excited about ask anybody!) Christ works in crazy ways, we just need to stop for a few minutes to listen. I challenge you to take a few minutes and evaluate your relationship with him. Is it what you are being called to do? Are you using the Holy Spirits gifts to the best of their abilities? Are you showing loving compassion you are supposed to be showng? I know I need alot of work, so I asked for your prayers.

I pray for you and your walk with Christ.