A New Life of Hope

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, ESV) Pain and suffering has a way of putting life into perspective. Or it can distort and consume our view of reality. Throughout 1 Peter, Peter desires that his readers suffer for the right things and with the right perspective. In this text, he returns to this recurring theme. But more than just enduring pain, he wants to see it produce something of lasting significance in their lives. As we continue in our journey of this book, take some time to read through 1 Peter 4-5. What does he hope suffering produces? How does it produce it?