Living Ready – 1 Peter 4
Chapter 4 opens with a strong admonition to "arm ourselves" with thinking the same way Jesus did; denying the natural bends and desires of the flesh in favor of following God's will.
No matter what.
Doing this means our lives won’t blend in with the world around us anymore. Peter says we have already spent enough time chasing the old ways—doing what comes naturally to a our broken flesh and the culture around us—and now we live differently. Not because we’re better, but because we’ve been made new. The grace of Jesus changes our desires, our priorities, and even how we suffer.
Peter reminds us that hardship isn’t proof of God’s absence—it’s often the very way His presence shines brightest. When we endure for our faith, we’re not being punished; we’re participating in His story.
Our trials become the crucibles where faith is refined into a purer reflection of Him. It's where hope becomes visible and in the middle of pressure, Peter calls us to something surprisingly simple: to love deeply, show hospitality joyfully, and serve others faithfully.
Kingdom impact doesn’t usually look dramatic—it looks like daily obedience wrapped in quiet love.
This is utterly counter to the waters of outrage and demanding of rights we find ourselves swimming in daily. But it is The Way He's called us to live.
Most of all, God, through Peter, calls us to live ready. Ready to love, ready to serve, ready to suffer if necessary, and ready to glorify God no matter the circumstance. Our lives are living testimonies which through everything—joy and pain alike—can display the beauty of Christ.
And when we choose to keep walking by faith when the path costs us everything, we quietly declare the gospel with our lives: Jesus is worth it.
No matter what.
Doing this means our lives won’t blend in with the world around us anymore. Peter says we have already spent enough time chasing the old ways—doing what comes naturally to a our broken flesh and the culture around us—and now we live differently. Not because we’re better, but because we’ve been made new. The grace of Jesus changes our desires, our priorities, and even how we suffer.
Peter reminds us that hardship isn’t proof of God’s absence—it’s often the very way His presence shines brightest. When we endure for our faith, we’re not being punished; we’re participating in His story.
Our trials become the crucibles where faith is refined into a purer reflection of Him. It's where hope becomes visible and in the middle of pressure, Peter calls us to something surprisingly simple: to love deeply, show hospitality joyfully, and serve others faithfully.
Kingdom impact doesn’t usually look dramatic—it looks like daily obedience wrapped in quiet love.
This is utterly counter to the waters of outrage and demanding of rights we find ourselves swimming in daily. But it is The Way He's called us to live.
Most of all, God, through Peter, calls us to live ready. Ready to love, ready to serve, ready to suffer if necessary, and ready to glorify God no matter the circumstance. Our lives are living testimonies which through everything—joy and pain alike—can display the beauty of Christ.
And when we choose to keep walking by faith when the path costs us everything, we quietly declare the gospel with our lives: Jesus is worth it.
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