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1 Peter 4:1
1 Forasmuch then as [oun] Christ [Christos] hath suffered [pascho] for [huper] us [hemon] in the flesh [sarx], arm [hoplizo] yourselves [humeis] likewise [kai] with the same [autos] mind [ennoia]: for [hoti] he that hath suffered [pascho] in [en] the flesh [sarx] hath ceased [pauo] from sin [hamartia]; KJV-Interlinear
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, NASB
Because Christ went to the Cross, because Christ came into this world and suffered in our place, because Christ performed the work of salvation making a path open to each one of us, because Christ did all of this and more, making available for each one of us a means for spiritual growth to maximum maturity and benefit forever, then ‘arm yourselves,’ says this verse. Because you have this wonderful opportunity, then take advantage of it.
This armor is a protective covering, both for offensive and defensive actions, as applied in a military setting.
Our armor is Bible doctrine, it is the shield for our soul, covering us over with Gods protection of discernment, for seeing and recognizing truth, for possessing the orientation to life, to people, to God, to understanding, to wisdom, to everything.
This armor is the armor of thought, the thinking of your mind. The same thinking that Christ possesses, which is the Word of God, the mind of Christ.
Because when you live outside of the fellowship of God, you by default live in the carnal realm of the sin nature. And whether you admit it or not, whether you recognize it or not, all life under the control of the sin nature, is a form of suffering.
Some folks will laugh at this comment, as they exercise their lusts and passions, never imagining their activities as suffering, but more to pleasure than anything else.
But suffering does not mean physical pain or mental pain only, suffering also means the repercussions of ones chosen lifestyle. And those repercussions of a life lived under the sin nature, will lead to loss of spiritual growth, and therefore loss of eternal blessings. These blessings will not become apparent until you actually see them and then lose them.
Imagine holding the winning ticket for gazillions, seeing the pile of money so high that you cannot even see the top, beginning your celebration for your good fortune, and then at the last moment, someone comes along and takes it from you. You lose. The disappointment overwhelms you. The jokes, the attitude, all suddenly have no meaning as they once did.
And so it is with people who just will not get with their daily study program, with people who will not buy into Gods plan, with people who never, or refuse, to see the importance of their spiritual life.
It is far too easy to ignore God and just live your life from day to day, but then no commitment means no reward. But making a commitment means ‘Ugh!’ having to read the Bible everyday, having to confess perhaps several times a day, having to monitor your thoughts constantly. It means no more fun … in the sinful sense. It means having to share with others, that which you have worked so hard for … Ugh! Such suffering! And for what?
