"Dear God, I Thirst!"

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Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2 English Standard Version

Peter's words have cause Christians no end of grief. Does he really mean that if I've suffered, I no longer sin? That doesn't make sense. We still struggle to obey the will of God, that is, to love him above all else and to love our neighbors. Sin isn't done with us.

So what does Peter mean? Let's take a closer look at what Peter says. First he speaks of the person who is separated from sin as having suffered.  Our suffering will come to an end when we die, and not any sooner. At that time sin will cease.

In light of this promise, we live differently, not perfectly, but differently. We live differently because the Spirit transforms our lives. We no longer thirst for the things of the flesh, but for the things of God.

We thirst for justice. We thirst for wholeness. We thirst for peace.

Will we experience peace now? At times, yes, and at times no. Will we experience wholeness now? At times, yes, and at times no. Will we experience justice now? At times, yes, and at times no. However, when sin has ceased we will know the fullness of Gods justice, healing and peace.

Back in chapter three of 1 Peter we read that "Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit." 1 Peter 3:18 (ESV) It is in Christ's suffering that our suffering meets its end. It is in Christ's thirst to complete his work, that our thirst will be satisfied.

"Dear God, I thirst to live for you!"

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Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2015 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.