4:11 Peter 4:1

Christ suffered in human flesh for us as the Sin Bearer, enduring rejection, abuse and death to bear sins once and bring back those who had strayed so they may lay hold on divinity and escape the corruption in the world through lust.Ms 76a, 1900, par. 2+2 To arm yourselves with the same mind is to take on His mind, resolve and wisdom in facing suffering, which is the truest wisdom and the essence of true service and pure religion.Lt 19, 1897, par. 25–26+2 Suffering in the flesh is joined to ceasing from sin, for choosing to endure suffering rather than yield to sin marks the break with the former sinful life.Lt 19, 1897, par. 25–26+2 Having ceased from sin, the believer no longer lives the rest of earthly life to human desires and the lusts of men but to the will of God, leaving behind old habits and bringing the will into harmony with Christ in complete surrender and obedience.Lt 19, 1897, par. 25–26+4 Taking on that same mind means following His self-sacrificing example for the salvation of others, bringing consecrated effort and unfailing determination to turn people from sin to righteousness and help those who have gone astray.4T 79.2+4

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh means Christ suffered in human flesh for us as the Sin Bearer, bearing sins once through His sinless life and atoning death to bring back those who had strayed and to bring them to God.Ms 76a, 1900, par. 2+4 He endured abuse and rejection in the flesh and was crucified by wicked men.Ms 49, 1909, par. 11–14 Through that suffering He made it possible for humanity to lay hold on divinity, to partake of the divine nature, and to escape the corruption in the world through lust.Ms 49, 1909, par. 11–14

To arm yourselves likewise with the same mind means to take on Christ's mind, resolve, and wisdom in facing suffering.Lt 19, 1897, par. 25–26+4 Believers must awake to God-given responsibilities and arm themselves with that same mind.Ms 147, 1898, par. 7 This taking on of Christ's mind is the truest dependable wisdom and the essence of true service and pure, undefiled religion before God.Ms 15, 1897, par. 7

Because Christ suffered in sympathy with humanity, the verse calls believers to meet disappointment with patience and with the same mind as Christ.Lt 144, 1903, par. 2–4 It means comfort in the Lord in trials and suffering that continue as long as life lasts in this world.Lt 56, 1900, par. 6–7 The believer is to stay the soul upon God, looking to Him and trusting in Him for help and strength and comfort, receiving consolation from Christ, learning meekness and lowliness of heart, and letting every word spoken show only goodness and mercy and love of God.Lt 56, 1900, par. 6–7 Those who share Christ's sufferings on earth will share His glory in the world to come.Lt 144, 1903, par. 2–4

Christ's suffering in the flesh once to save people as the Sin Bearer is a basis for assurance of God's love and care.Lt 21a, 1895, par. 1

Suffering in the flesh is joined to ceasing from sin, for to endure suffering rather than yield to sin marks the break with the former sinful life, so that the rest of life is lived for God's will rather than human desires.Lt 19, 1897, par. 25–26+3 To take on Christ's mind in facing suffering is to turn from sin, accepting suffering rather than continuing in sin.Lt 19, 1897, par. 25–26+2 Ceasing from sin is the sinner's only hope.ST Nov 15, 1899

Having ceased from sin, the believer no longer lives the rest of earthly time in the flesh to human desires, selfish interests, and the lusts of men, but to the will of God.Lt 19, 1897, par. 25–26+4 He that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin means ending a life of selfishness and serving selfish interests.Ms 147, 1898, par. 7 No one can live selfishly and then enter into the joy of the Lord, but must share Christ's endurance of the cross and the contradiction of sinners against himself without becoming wearied and faint.Ms 147, 1898, par. 7

Ceasing from sin is a moral transformation in which old habits and practices and the former life of sin are left behind and the attributes of Satan are expelled from the soul temple.Ms 30, 1898, par. 7–10 The will must come into harmony with Christ, and salvation requires complete surrender to Him and obedience to God's law.ST Nov 15, 1899 By this change the believer is ennobled, elevated, and made strong physically and mentally in God's nature, escaping the corruption of the world through lust by faith, living as sons and daughters of God who partake of His holiness and are rescued from sin rather than lightly excused in it.Lt 25a, 1895, par. 20–22+1

The time past suffices for doing the will of the Gentiles in lasciviousness, lusts, lust, drunkenness, excess of wine, revelings, revelry, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.Lt 19, 1897, par. 25–26+2 When believers no longer run with them to the same excess of riot, former companions think it strange and speak evil of them.Lt 19, 1897, par. 25–26+2 But all must give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead, the quick and the dead, so believers are to accept suffering without shame and remain faithful.Lt 19, 1897, par. 25–26+1

Because the end of all things is at hand, the verse demands sobriety and watchfulness unto prayer.Ms 49, 1909, par. 11–14+2 It demands daily overcoming, accepting the sacrifice made, making a covenant with God by sacrifice, and becoming overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of testimony to secure the eternal reward.Ms 49, 1909, par. 11–14 Without a prepared heart the gospel seed falls among thorns and noxious weeds, the wheat crop is stunted and the tares kill out the wheat, and uncontrolled weeds and objectionable natural traits of character are revealed in the life, while grace can thrive only in a heart constantly prepared for the precious seeds of truth.Ms 30, 1898, par. 7–10

The verse condemns all frivolity, jesting, joking, flattering attentions, undue attention of men to women, and forwardness, coquetry, and flirting of girls as positive moral wrong and denial of Christ.Lt 6a, 1890, par. 53–59 Such conduct pollutes the soul, starts an unchangeable train of impure thought, and leaves enduring impressions, and is known by its fruit as thorn-berries from a thorn-bush.Lt 6a, 1890, par. 53–59 Instead it requires a pure moral taste in the inner sanctuary of the soul, dignified reserve and modesty, and sociable kindness without trifling familiarity.Lt 6a, 1890, par. 53–59

Sharing Christ's glory in the world to come requires sharing His suffering on earth.Ms 147, 1898, par. 7+2 Those who share Christ's sufferings on earth will share His glory in the world to come.Lt 144, 1903, par. 2–4

To take on the same mind as Christ is to follow His self-sacrificing example for the salvation of others.4T 79.2+1 He set aside His glory and riches, took on humanity, and gave His life to reach and save sinners.4T 79.2+1

Taking on the mind of Christ means bringing consecrated, noble effort and unfailing determination to work for the souls of others.Lt 32a, 1910, par. 26–28+3 It means following God's directions so as to do His will and serve as missionaries, carrying out the work of turning people from sin to righteousness and helping those who have gone astray.Lt 32a, 1910, par. 26–28+1 Sanctifying the Lord in the heart through prayer for the Holy Spirit's guidance enables faithful witness.Lt 19, 1897, par. 27 That witness is given with pity and yearning love opened toward brethren and toward all outside Christ.Lt 25a, 1895, par. 20–22

Arming with the mind of Christ means rejecting weak sentimentalism such as longing to sit by a wife's grave and dwelling on the dead.Lt 25a, 1895, par. 20–22 It means instead saving all powers of mind and soul to do God-given work faithfully, cheerfully, and happily, because time is passing and the end is near, with self having no part in life.Lt 25a, 1895, par. 20–22 In the home this same mind means being determined to be a comfort and blessing to all, creating a sweet, pure, and heavenly atmosphere.Lt 56, 1900, par. 6–7