A HARD ROW TO HOE
Today's reading: 1 Peter 4-5

"So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning." 1 Peter 4:1 NLT

I'm thrilled to report that according to this verse, and what God speaks to my heart about it, I'm not called to be perfect--just called to be uncomfortable with sin in my life.

But I have to admit, and if you've served Christ any length of time, I think you'll agree...

Denying one's self is unnatural.

Pushing aside temptation is hard to do.

Overruling the 'old man' is a constant battle.

Not giving in to satan's tactics will require a constant flexing of the muscles of self-control and a bending of the knees in prayer.

Not sinning, or continuing in sin to be precise, is going to be the hardest thing you'll ever do.

But when you do it, you're proving to yourself, to satan, to the witnesses of your faith and to God that you're determined to not make light of the work of the Cross.