A cultural Christian with a half-hearted commitment to Christ is not going to run up against much spiritual resistance. And even when they do, like the Israelites before Goliath, they will turn tail and run. But if you are serious about following hard after Jesus, get ready for the battle. The enemy is actively working to make you fail and fall. So, arm yourself!

1 Peter 4:1
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….

In today’s passage, Peter tells us to “arm” ourselves. The word refers to a soldier carefully putting on his armor before the battle. The arrows will be flying, so he must make sure he is prepared and protected. The armor referred to in this verse is an attitude, a willingness to share in the sufferings of Jesus. Until we are ready to die for him, we aren’t ready to live for him.

The phrase “has ceased from sin” doesn’t mean the believer—even one armed and following hard after Christ—will never sin. The phrase means that identifying with Christ in suffering is a clear sign that we have made a break from the sinful life and are all in! So, here is the question to ask yourself—Are you all in? You don’t have to wait for the hard times to prove it.

Father, never allow me to treat my faith as a hobby. Never allow me to be satisfied with a half-hearted commitment. Give me the desire to be all in and the opportunity to demonstrate it every day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.