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. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. (1 Peter 4:1-3 ESV)
Do I believe Scripture? "For the time that is past SUFFICES for doing what the Gentiles want to do," joining "them in the same flood of debauchery."
When is my time that is past? Do I believe this today? Did I believe this eight years ago when I became a Christian? When can I say, "yep, the time I spent sinning in the past is enough time to spend sinning." "I am living the rest of my time for the will of God, not human passions."
I am to be armed with a certain kind of thinking. I thinking that focuses on the sufferings of Christ as a consequence of my current human sinful passion. Jesus suffered in the flesh because of my current passion that is sinful. In arming myself with this kind of thinking, it seems rather appropriate to say this morning, "the time I have spent doing this current sinful passion is enough."
The time from this point today then distinguishes me from "the past." I pray I will not need to say this again tomorrow.
Thank the Lord this morning that we are redeemed by faith in Christ, and not our faithfulness toward Christ.
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