Keep Having a Christlike Attitude and Living for God

- To be ready for a time of persecution, Christians must be mentally prepared by arming/ strengthening/fortifying themselves with the same attitude/mindset that Christ has. So far in 1 Peter, a Christlike attitude includes a steadfast hope for God's vindication, a reverent fear of God, a humble submission/a complete surrender to God, an unwavering trust in the love and wisdom of the Father, a commitment to live a Godly/holy life, and a readiness to suffer and die for the will of God. We need to put on the defensive armor/shield because we're in a fierce battle against Satan and against our flesh/sinful nature. Have the same view that Christ had regarding His suffering. The Suffering Servant Savior serves as an Example for us believers in our trials, sufferings, and persecution. We are to embrace suffering with willingness, submission, and patience if it's God's will. 

- Through Christ's suffering and death, He destroyed the power of sin so that we may be dead to sin and alive in Him. "For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been set free from sin...The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:6-7, 10-11) As a result, we now ought to live by the Spirit and live for God and His will, not live the rest of our earthly lives for evil human desires or worldly pleasures. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:24-25)