The Power of Suffering with Christ: Ceasing from Sin

Suffering with Christ: A Weapon Against Sin

Have you ever considered the connection between suffering and sin? It may not be the most obvious link, but the apostle Peter sheds light on this relationship in his first letter. He writes, "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" (1 Peter 4:1).

At first glance, this verse may be puzzling. Did Christ have to cease from sin? No! The Bible is clear that Jesus "committed no sin" (1 Peter 2:22). So what does Peter mean when he says that those who have suffered in the flesh have ceased from sin?

To understand this, we need to delve deeper into the concept of suffering with Christ. When we arm ourselves with the thought that Christ suffered for us, we come to realize that we died with him. Peter explains, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24). Through Christ's sacrificial death, we have died to sin.

This idea aligns with what the apostle Paul teaches in Romans 6. He writes, "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. . . . So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:6–7, 11).

Both Peter and Paul exhort believers to arm themselves with this thought and to consider themselves dead to sin. This thought, this consideration, becomes a powerful weapon in our battle against sin.

Think of it as a shield that protects us from the temptations of Satan. When the enemy comes, whispering lies and enticing us to sin, we can raise the shield of Christ's suffering and death. We can remind ourselves that Jesus endured the cross to free us from sin, and in doing so, we died to sin.

When Satan tempts us to indulge in lust, to lie, to steal, or to covet, we can arm ourselves with this thought. We can declare, "The Son of God suffered to deliver me from sinning. He did not suffer to make me miserable. Therefore, what he died to purchase must be more wonderful than the fleeting pleasures of sin."

In those moments, when the allurements of sin beckon, we can stand firm, knowing that our susceptibility to temptation has shriveled up and died. We can confidently tell Satan, "Be gone! My desires no longer drool over your empty promises. I have found something far greater in Christ."

This weapon of thought, this consideration of our death to sin with Christ, empowers us to resist the enemy's schemes. It reminds us that sin has lost its power over us because we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection.

But how do we practically arm ourselves with this thought? It starts with renewing our minds through the study of God's Word. The Bible is filled with references to our death to sin and our new life in Christ. By meditating on these truths and memorizing relevant verses, we strengthen our arsenal against sin.

Additionally, prayer plays a crucial role in arming ourselves with this thought. We can ask the Holy Spirit to continually remind us of our union with Christ, to bring to mind the reality of our death to sin. As we pray and seek the Lord's help, we invite the Spirit to empower us to walk in righteousness and resist sin's allurements.

Furthermore, we can surround ourselves with a community of believers who share this same perspective. When we gather with fellow Christians who understand and embrace their identity as those who have died to sin, we encourage one another to stand firm and resist temptation together.

In conclusion, the connection between suffering and sin may seem paradoxical, but as we arm ourselves with the thought of Christ's suffering and our death to sin, we gain a powerful weapon against the enemy. This thought, this consideration, helps us resist the allurements of sin and walk in righteousness.

So, let us take up this weapon of thought today. Let us meditate on the truth of our death to sin with Christ, and let it shape our actions and choices. As we do, we will experience the freedom and victory that Christ has purchased for us.