Cease from sin

 

1 Peter 4:1-4 Therefore, since Messiah suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so that he no longer lives the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but according to the desire of Elohim. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the desire of the gentiles, having walked in indecencies, lusts, excess of wine, orgies, wild parties (indecent singing), and abominable idolatries, in which they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same flood of loose behavior, blaspheming, who shall give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

A true repented person no longer has the desires of the world (flesh) but according to these verses a person ceases from doing sin. They don’t desire the lusts from this world but only the desire of Yahuah.

What does religion teach? It teaches different from what these verses say. Let’s continue studying scripture!

 

Romans 6:2-23 Let it not be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or are you ignorant that all who were baptized into Messiah Yahusha were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death that as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so also, we should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together with Him in the likeness of His death, so also shall we be in the resurrection, for we know this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, so that we no longer serve sin. For he who is dead has been freed from sin. (Romans 8:2, John 8:32-34) But if we died with Messiah, we believe that also we shall live with Him, knowing that Messiah being raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in that He lives, He lives to Elohim. (Hebrews 9:28, Romans 5:10) So also you count yourselves to be truly dead to sin, but alive to Elohim in Yahusha, Messiah our Master. Then do not let sin reign in your mortal body, to obey it in its lusts. Neither present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin but present yourselves to Elohim as one living from the dead, and your members instruments of righteousness to Elohim. For your sin shall not Master it over you, for you are not under the penalty of Law breaking*, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the penalty of the Torah, but under grace? Let it not be!*** Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves to whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or obedience to righteousness?** But thanks be to Elohim that you were slaves of sin, but you obeyed from the heart the form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you were enslaved to righteousness. I speak as a man on account of the weakness of your flesh. For as you yielded your members as slaves to uncleanness and to iniquity, so now yield your members as slaves to righteousness unto sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free as to righteousness.Therefore, what fruit did you have then in the things over which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having been enslaved to Elohim, you have your fruit unto sanctification****, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death*****, but the gift of Yahuah is everlasting life in Yahusha, Messiah our Master.

 

 

 

 

 

The message in Romans chapter 6 is so clear: Having died to sin, live unto righteousness! Sin must not be part of your life but only righteousness.

Verses 2-11- 10 Paul states that the believer is to die to sin, never once did he ever say a believer is to die to Law (Torah).

‘*This means one of two: (1) under the condemnation of the law, or (2) that this law refers to the law of sin, of which we read in Romans 7:23, 7:25, 8:2, which means the principle of sin-doing, the Adamic carnal nature.

‘**Down to verse 23: We were formerly servants of sin, but now we have become servants of righteousness, unto set-apartness. In the renew Covenant Yahuah gives a way through the shed blood of Messiah to completely have the penalty of your sins removed (Jeremiah 32:33-34). However, if we willingly continue to obey sin after accepting this great sacrifice of the blood of the Son of Yahuah, then we are mocking the spirit of grace, and our sins will not be forgiven. (Hebrews 10:26-32, Romans 6:23, Luke 13:1-5)

 

 

 

 

 

‘***Grace does not give one a license to continue to break the commands.

‘**** The Torah (commands) does not justify us (make us right with Yahuah), as only the shed blood of Yahusha can do this, but it sanctifies us and that is why we need to follow it as it teaches us the character and will of Yahuah.

The blood of Yahusha has freed a believer from the death penalty of their past sins, but now obeying the Torah will keep you free and where one makes a mistake, he has the blood of Messiah to make up for that. However, if one continues to sin it will lead to death (Romans 6:23) and Peter gravely explains this in 2 Peter 2:22.

‘*****Sin will always bring death - read Romans 6:23, Romans 8:13, Ezekiel 18:4.

 

Do your utmost

 

 

 

 

As a believer (new or old), we need to grow in the word. Here Peter says we must do our utmost best to grow in these following steps to enter the kingdom of Yah.

 

2 Peter 1:5-7 And for this reason do your utmost to add to your belief uprightness, to uprightness knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control endurance, to endurance reverence, to reverence brotherly affection, and to brotherly affection love.

The steps are; a) Add to faith virtue, b) Add knowledge, c) Have self-control, d) Be patience or sustain endurance, e) Have holiness (reverence), f) Show kindness (affection).

2 Peter 1:8 For if these are in you and increase, they cause you to be neither inactive nor without fruit in the knowledge of our Master Yahusha Messiah.

When you increase in these steps, you will never be useless or unfruitful, having Yahusha Messiah in you.

 

2 Peter 1:9 For he in whom these are not present is blind, being short sighted, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his old sins.

For those who don’t have these in them are still blind and shortsighted not remembering the sins of the past was forgiven.

2 Peter 1:10-11 For this reason, brothers, all the more do your utmost to make firm your calling and choosing, for if you are doing these matters you shall never stumble at all, for in this way an entrance into the everlasting reign of our Master and Saviour Yahusha Messiah shall be richly supplied to you.

Clearly if we follow these advise, we will not fall back into sin.

 

Mathew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Revelation 17:14 “They shall fight with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Master of masters and Sovereign of sovereigns. And those with Him are called, and chosen, and trustworthy.”

 

 

Fellow elder

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter as an elder tells the fellow elder (senior) of today;

1 Peter 5:1-3 I appeal to the elders among you: Shepherd the flock of Elohim which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but voluntarily, not out of greed for filthy gain, but eagerly, neither as being masters over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter is not mentioning pastors, priests or leaders but to believers who are must older in years, who know the word by studying and following the Word for many years.

Serve people spiritually, not by forcing but by their own will.

Serve people with the desire of Yah’s word, not for money or greed.

Serve people by an example bearing good fruit, not by exercising dominion over them coming to hear the Word.

 

1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you shall receive the never-fading crown of esteem. 1 Peter 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your lives.

1 Peter 5:5 In the same way, you younger ones, be subject to elders. And gird yourselves with humility toward one another, for “Elohim resists the proud, but gives favour to the humble.”

 

 

Trials

 

 

 

 

It is been said that we should not be surprised if we go through hard times.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that is coming upon you, to try you, as though some unusual matter has befallen you, but as you share Messiah’s sufferings, rejoice, in order that you might rejoice exultingly at the revelation of His esteem.

As a believer the trials make you stronger so that you trust Yahuah for taking you through the tough times.

 

1 Peter 4:16 But if one suffers being Messianic (believer in Messiah), let him not be ashamed, but let him esteem Elohim in this matter.

 

1 Peter 4:17 Because it is time for judgment to begin from the House of Elohim. And if firstly from us, what is the end of those who do not obey the Good News of Elohim?

This is very important for believers. Judgment starts among believers as Yahuah what’s His assembly to be pure and clean from sin. That is why we have to go through trials so we can overcome sin and trust in Elohim only. Many fail the trials and turn away from Elohim. Some fail but ask Yah forgiveness, overcome the failure, then pass the next trial by becoming stronger in faith.

Yaaqob-Jacob (James) gives us good advice.

James 1:2-4 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the proving of your belief works endurance. And let endurance have a perfect work, so that you be perfect and complete, lacking in naught.

1 Peter 1:6-7 in which you exult, even though for alittle while, if need be, you have been grieved by manifold trials, in order that the proving of your belief– much more precious than gold that perishes, and proven by fire – might be found to result in praise and respect and esteem at the revelation of Yahusha Messiah…

The trials will not be for long.

 

1 Peter 4:18 And "if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the wicked and sinner appear?"

Proverbs 11:31 See, the righteous in the earth shall be rewarded, how much more the wrong and the sinner!

We need to be righteous because the sinner will not be saved. Note righteous in Yahuah’s eyes, not man.

1 Peter 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to the desire of Elohim should commit their lives to a trustworthy Creator, in doing good.

Suffer for Yahuah.

 

1 Peter 4:7 Therefore be sober-minded (sound mind), and be attentive in the prayers.

The above is so important for a believer because the next verse tills us why we should be sober.

1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, watch, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in the belief, knowing that the same hardships are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

 

James (Jacob) 4:7 So then subject yourselves to Elohim. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you.

Those who endure till the end shall be saved.