These are incredibly uncomfortable words:

¹ Therefore, since Christ suffered as a human, you should also arm yourselves with his way of thinking. This is because whoever suffers is finished with sin. ² As a result, they don’t live the rest of their human lives in ways determined by human desires but in ways determined by God’s will. (1 Peter 4:1-2, CEB)

Whoever suffers is finished with sin.

I’ve heard sermons on being finished with sin. I’ve heard sermons on sinless perfection. None of them included the thought that the way to such a life was to suffer.

We don’t want to deal with sin. Who does? But the solution is a bit uncomfortable! It’s almost to the point where I could think, “Wow. I think I’d rather have sin.”

When there is suffering in this body there is a bit more clarity as to what matters in life. This, of course, also has a way of conjuring up the stories of abuses. Extreme ascetic practices (self-flagellation, etc.) can be brought up to show how this is just silly.

But this verse just sits there. Maybe the best advice is to move on through this passage as quickly as possible. Don’t think about it too much!

God can’t possibly want us to suffer pain! God wants me feeling good… right?

Yet, clarity can come. The old ways of drunkenness and wild parties don’t seem to mean as much (v. 3). Would that be so bad?

It isn’t an admonition to go out and make yourself suffer. It is an admonition to realize that pain happens. When it does, the side effects may not be so bad!