1 Peter 4:1
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, ARM YOURSELF LIKEWISE WITH THE SAME MIND: for he that hath SUFFERD in the FLESH hath CEASED FROM SIN;
2 That he NO LONGER should live the REST OF HIS TIME in the FLESH TO THE LUSTS of men, BUT TO THE WILL OF GOD.
This scripture is one of those that I meditate on for years and today Im truly thankful for the input of this scripture into my life.
God started to change my character and what I mean is this:
Everything of my character that did not match Christ character was chopped off and Im sorry to say that all of my character was chopped and changed. Nothing that I have could stand the match with Christ. The reason is that I came out of the world with worldly standards, and the way the world sees things is not Gods idea of how things worked
I thought that I had some of the fruit of the spirit, at least love. I loved people but when God showed me that my love fall short of His standard. I saw that the worldly love is poor in standards. Worldly love is centered on the first person
I will love you if you love me; I will be good to you if you are good to me; I will treat you with respect if you do the same.
Gods love is differed I will love even if you hate me; I will love even if you hurt me; I will love you even if you steal rob or harm me. I will go before God with compassion in my heart and pray for you in humbleness. I will look to you the way God sees you. I will close my eyes for any works of the flesh and not judge you but rather seek for the potential in you and help you to work on it.
Then I think ok Im a joyful person and even here my eyes were opened. I was full of joy as long as things went my way and I discover that its very easy to be happy when all is good and nice around me but I failed joy the worldly standard is Im happy and cheerful when everything is fine. Gods joy is to be happy and contented when: (Habakkuk 3:17) Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. This is quite a thing to practice. Its not easy to be joyful in these times and this is why we need Gods joy.
How many of you know that its easy to be at peace if no one is angry with you. If everybody is treating you with the respect that you feel you deserve. Its so easy to walk in peace when people (those who are members of your household and those brother and sisters in church) are so considered to you. But its a different story when someone is treating you very badly.
I failed peace Worldly standards are to defend myself; to shift the blame to someone else; to have the right to feel offended. God changed me to choose not to be offended. To not care about blame shifting and not to get caught up in arguments. If people hurt me I pray for them. If they verbally abuse me I dont take it personally and pray with compassion for them. If they really hurt me badly I turn to God and ask Gods help to overcome. I even have to rejoice in it. (1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy).
With these changes I learned to establish better relationships with (my) people. I saw the importance to walk in peace in my own home and Church.
Years ago I thought I was smart by praying a lot, reading the bible and do everything I thought Christian should do, but then God changed me from having religion into having relationships with people. Im very impressed with God because with religion I wanted the people to see how good I am. How much God loves me; All was centered around me, but with relationships I have to put myself and my needs on the background, and look to my fellow brother and sister, seeing their hurt and needs and serve them. Helping them to overcome their difficulties. When Im doing this I found out that God took care of my needs and hurts. To do this does not require lots only willingness to a heart change. God supplied all the tools to be available to serve people.
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, ARM YOURSELF LIKEWISE WITH THE SAME MIND: for he that hath SUFFERD in the FLESH hath CEASED FROM SIN;
2 That he NO LONGER should live the REST OF HIS TIME in the FLESH TO THE LUSTS of men, BUT TO THE WILL OF GOD.
This scripture is one of those that I meditate on for years and today Im truly thankful for the input of this scripture into my life.
God started to change my character and what I mean is this:
Everything of my character that did not match Christ character was chopped off and Im sorry to say that all of my character was chopped and changed. Nothing that I have could stand the match with Christ. The reason is that I came out of the world with worldly standards, and the way the world sees things is not Gods idea of how things worked
I thought that I had some of the fruit of the spirit, at least love. I loved people but when God showed me that my love fall short of His standard. I saw that the worldly love is poor in standards. Worldly love is centered on the first person
I will love you if you love me; I will be good to you if you are good to me; I will treat you with respect if you do the same.
Gods love is differed I will love even if you hate me; I will love even if you hurt me; I will love you even if you steal rob or harm me. I will go before God with compassion in my heart and pray for you in humbleness. I will look to you the way God sees you. I will close my eyes for any works of the flesh and not judge you but rather seek for the potential in you and help you to work on it.
Then I think ok Im a joyful person and even here my eyes were opened. I was full of joy as long as things went my way and I discover that its very easy to be happy when all is good and nice around me but I failed joy the worldly standard is Im happy and cheerful when everything is fine. Gods joy is to be happy and contented when: (Habakkuk 3:17) Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. This is quite a thing to practice. Its not easy to be joyful in these times and this is why we need Gods joy.
How many of you know that its easy to be at peace if no one is angry with you. If everybody is treating you with the respect that you feel you deserve. Its so easy to walk in peace when people (those who are members of your household and those brother and sisters in church) are so considered to you. But its a different story when someone is treating you very badly.
I failed peace Worldly standards are to defend myself; to shift the blame to someone else; to have the right to feel offended. God changed me to choose not to be offended. To not care about blame shifting and not to get caught up in arguments. If people hurt me I pray for them. If they verbally abuse me I dont take it personally and pray with compassion for them. If they really hurt me badly I turn to God and ask Gods help to overcome. I even have to rejoice in it. (1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy).
With these changes I learned to establish better relationships with (my) people. I saw the importance to walk in peace in my own home and Church.
Years ago I thought I was smart by praying a lot, reading the bible and do everything I thought Christian should do, but then God changed me from having religion into having relationships with people. Im very impressed with God because with religion I wanted the people to see how good I am. How much God loves me; All was centered around me, but with relationships I have to put myself and my needs on the background, and look to my fellow brother and sister, seeing their hurt and needs and serve them. Helping them to overcome their difficulties. When Im doing this I found out that God took care of my needs and hurts. To do this does not require lots only willingness to a heart change. God supplied all the tools to be available to serve people.
