Although He [Jesus] was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered, Hebrews 5:8.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously… 1 Peter 2:21-23.
Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God, 1 Peter 4:1-2.
These verses tell us obedience is learned through suffering and we are to follow the example left for us and humbly endure suffering. 1 Peter 4:1-2 tells us it is possible to cease from sin and spend the rest of our time on earth doing the will of God. But we must arm ourselves with the same purpose Jesus had, which was to do the will of God in spite of our suffering.
Hebrews 12:4-8 tells us, You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons,
“MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE
LORD,
NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;
FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES,
AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.”
It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
So in 1 Peter 5:8-9, Peter is telling us to be of sober spirit and to be on the alert. Our adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in our faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by our brethren who are in the world.
James tells us, “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you,” James 4:7-8.
We have been saved from sin by our Lord Jesus Christ. Satan, our adversary, wants us to continue in sin. He has many people convinced that we will sin until we die. But the word of God says otherwise. It says Jesus appeared to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin. No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him, 1 John 3:5-6.
Jesus told us that if we abide in Him and His words abide in us, we can ask whatever we wish, and it will be done for us, John 15:7. This sounds far-fetched, but it is absolutely true; some have found it so.
So humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen, 1 Peter 5:6-11.
Jon David Banks, God’s most unworthy servant
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org
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