| We have returned to the two last chapters of 1 Peter for our readings over the next few days. These chapters are full of strong teaching for us all. These verses deal with two important subjects, suffering and separation. This is all part of the great change that takes place when we come to Christ. We receive a new nature with new desires and ambitions and even new problems. The first verse mentions Christ's sufferings. We cannot suffer as he did, but it is still painful to the flesh (the old nature) not to have its own way. It is only as we see that old nature crucified with Christ that we will ever be free from its power. Christ broke the power of sin and the old nature over us when he was crucified. Now we live 'for the will of God' (v. 2), not just to fulfil all the lusts of the self-centred flesh. In verse 3 Peter mentions the time of our conversion. Earthly life is divided at that point for the Christian. We speak of the time 'before we were saved' or 'since we have been saved'. The world can't understand this (v. 4). They see what we have given up since we became Christians. What they can't see is what we have received as Christians. That is far more than anything we may have given up for Christ's sake. It isn't easy to suffer. It isn't easy to be different from the world, but if we are going to mean anything for Christ in this life that is the way we have to travel. A THOUGHT:
'Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own his cause
Or blush to speak his name?' | 
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