Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has
ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the
flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. (1 Peter 4:1-2)
Some people will do anything to avoid pain. As followers of Christ, however, we should be
willing and prepared to do God's will and to suffer for it if necessary. Sin loses its power to defeat us in our
suffering if we focus on Christ and what He wants us to do. When our bodies are in pain or our lives are
in jeopardy, our real values show up clearly, and sinful pleasures seem less
important. If anyone suffers for doing
good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering, that person has made a
clean break with sin.
