Set Apart for Christ

Scripture Text: 1 Peter 4:1-10

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

When Christ fulfilled His redemptive work by being the sacrificial lamb for God's chosen people, it served as a reminder to us on how to live our lives as God's proper people—a transformed and new creation in Christ, whose life is focused on following His will and glorifying Him in every way possible.

Peter begins by encouraging believers to follow Christ's example, enduring the passions of this earthly body and its fleshly desires. Since we are a new creation, our new passion is to live only for His will. We are to commit our entire lives to fulfilling God's will, the satisfaction of which should be the purpose of our lives, just as Christ did.

Paganistic lifestyles often hyperemphasize self-gratification and self-fulfillment. These self-made gods cater to people's desires, a trend that was carried over in this new generation, where people seek to avoid offending anyone but God, where everything is deemed acceptable except the standards of God and His word.

As a new creation in Christ, we have been separated and consecrated for His holy purpose. From the moment of our rebirth, we are no longer entangled by sin; instead, we are slaves of righteousness. We have been liberated from the horrors of sin, our greatest redemption, and we should be forever grateful because this redemption came at a cost. Christ's wounds of suffering brought us healing, and the nails that held Him set us free.

As His people, we know that we will give an account for all our actions, whether good or evil, recognizing that God is just and holy.

Peter then emphasizes that we are in the last days, providing a warning and reminding us to be alert, sober-minded, and prayerful. We know that various influences can divert us from the will of God. The highlight of the verse is to love our brethren deeply and be hospitable to each other. Christians should unite in supporting one another as a community with one God, one faith, and one baptism.

Being part of His church, we have different functions and gifts, all of which play an essential role in serving the church. These gifts were given to us to use for His glory through serving one another.

Reflect

1. Are you living your life as a set-apart person of God, living out His word and being separate from this world?

2. Are you using your gifts generously for the edification of the church?

Remember

As His consecrated people, we are to live for God's glory by being set apart from this world. We are to be active within the church, serving with love and care because it aligns with the will of God. Then, we are to go out and advance His gospel, being a light to the world that once blinded us.

Pray

Our Holy Father, please help us embody the attitude of Christ, turning away from worldly desires and finding satisfaction in doing Your will. Keep us alert and prayerful in these challenging times. Make us faithful stewards of Your grace, living with purpose and devotion as we await Your coming. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.