Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 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. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 1 peter 4:1-6

Jesus suffered for the sin of the world and Now the first century Christians are suffering for the sake of the gospel. Peter is exhorting the Christians to continue to arm themselves the attitude of Jesus while he went through suffering.

Pagans of the first century viewed Christians as killjoys who lived gloomy lives devoid of pleasure (Colwell 1939; Frend 1967; Sherwin-White 1974). The pleasures from which Christians of the first century typically abstained were the popular forms of Roman entertainment: the theatre with its rude performances, the chariot races, and the gladiatorial fights with their blood and violence. Christian lifestyle also condemned the “pleasures” of an indulgent temper, sex outside marriage, drinking, slander, lying, covetousness, and theft (Colwell 1939: 61).This problem of withdrawal from old behaviours and lifestyles continues to be an issue today, especially for those new committed Christian.

Those who suffer unjustly because of their faith in Christ have demonstrated that they are willing to be done with sin by choosing obedience, even if it means suffering. Although it is true that sin eventually but inevitably leads to suffering, obedience to God may lead to unpleasant consequences as well. This is sometimes overlooked by those who understand following Christ as only the path to blessing, if not to health and wealth. Peter’s readers face the choice of either taking the path of least resistance—going along with the values, norms, and practices acceptable and expected by their society—or being obedient to God and suffering the consequences of criticism and condemnation by unbelieving family and friends. Their willingness to suffer this way therefore demonstrates that they have resolved to be through with sin.

How are we responding to the situation? Are we giving in to the temptations of the world or resisting every possible trap that might lead us to the old way of life style? May God strengthen us to resist the sin and walk blamelessly before the lord and to arm ourself with attitude of Christ always.