Path To Life

1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
--1 Peter 4:1-2

A genuine test of selflessness is sacrifice. If it doesn't cost you anything it isn't true selflessness. The selfless person has done away with sin because the root of sin is selfishness. The one who asks how it can be that selflessness leads to the good life is one whose theology ends on Good Friday. As the previous chapter highlights, Jesus was the ultimate sufferer. The cost of his selflessness is immeasurable. Why would anyone wish to imitate a life that ends in such a fashion? But though the penalty of sin may be dealt with on the cross, salvation is ultimately delivered through the resurrection. We die to ourselves each day precisely because it is the necessary path to life. The suffering of Jesus cannot be overstated nor can the pronouncement that he now lives in glory.