Number One Priority

DEVOTION 1 PETER NUMBER ONE PRIORITY 1 Peter 4:1-6 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do — living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. NIV Another very long dissertation which is one continuous thought that I dare not break up, but yet could deal with a many individual ideas within. How is it that we who believe can actually be done with sin while we live in the physical form? Is it actually possible to be completely free from committing one single sin for the rest of our life? Or is this just making the point of what is the main goal of our life? Do we live simple to sin, or do we live to please God? Being human, how do we escape some of those desires, which are called evil here? If we can forego debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and idolatry would then all else not count? Or is this just the idea of which direction we live for? Surely even if it is our highest desire to live for the will of God, it does not mean we are not going to fail at times, and get catch up for a moment in some attitude or action which is not pleasing to Him. Is this making an excuse, or provision for being human? Or is this just being realistic? It would seem some believers actually think they never sin anymore, which in itself is the sin of pride, thinking more highly of themselves then they should. But still we are to turn from the former way of living and not be involved in the horrible lifestyle which includes the absolute lack of reverence for God and His will for our lives. I know those who believe when they die, they simple cease to exist, but that is not true, for they will have to stand before God and give an account of their refusal to accept Him and His ways. I also know some who think if they live simple being good, they will escape judgment, and will enter into heaven. But we who know, it is through Jesus Christ and Him alone do we escape this judgment, even if we fail, even if we still have sin in our life, even if we are not perfect, for Christ is our righteousness, as we can never be righteous enough in our own strength. But our main focus in life must be to live for God and not for self. That must be our number one priority.