I Peter 4:1-11 AMP
Keep Fervent in Your Love
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world], 2 so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but [lives] for the will and purpose of God. 3 For the time already past is [more than] enough for doing what the [unsaved] Gentiles like to do—living [unrestrained as you have done] in a course of [shameless] sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. 4 In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentful and surprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] with them into the same excesses of dissipation and immoral freedom, and they criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values. 5 But they will [have to] give an account to Him who is ready to judge and pass sentence on the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the good news [of salvation] was preached [in their lifetimes] even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to [the will and purpose of] God.
7 The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.] 8 Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor]. 11 Whoever speaks [to the congregation], is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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| The Ohio River Courtesy of PWW |
The person who has suffered in his body is finished with sin. In our unsaved life we do what sinners do and live to please our evil desires that destroys our mind, body and Spirit. Those who don’t know God think you are strange or weird by not doing things that is worldly. The Bible says we are a Peculiar Race, and the world does not understand us.
Having sex before marriage, drinking at a young age and getting drunk. I did them and I look back and see how wrong it was and what disasters it did bring in my life. Thank God He doesn’t write of us off that quick. If fact He gives us many chances. The Bible says He is long suffering. Just a little bit of advice, don’t wait too long; because the enemy of ours (the Devil) roams around like a roaring Lion seeking to destroy us. (I Peter 5:8) The Lord and His Word protects us. He gives us many chances to turn our lives around because of His deep love for us all. God is not mad at you - But He is mad about you. You are the Apple of His eye. But we must be sincere and truly turn away from our wicked ways - but we can’t do it without Him (spending time reading the Bible daily) His word heals, delivers, and restores. He also said test me, try me and see if I won’t open the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing so powerful you can’t contain it. (Malachi 3:10)
