1 Peter 2:21-25
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
1 Peter 2:21-25 NIV
The spiritual life to which we are all called is not an easy path to tread, and Christ Himself warned us that in this world we will have tribulation, while Paul reminds us that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Many believe that becoming a Christian will guarantee a life of simplicity and ease, affluence and comfort, but we are warned in many passages that those who delight in piety and are determined to live a devoted and Godly life will meet with persecution and will be made to suffer because of their stand for Christ. Today we are going to have fun together. These heartfelt words from Peter are potent enough to change our lives forever. The Word of God is living and active. One of my prayers for us is that we would learn to love the Bible. I am not so much meaning in a scholarly way, but in a rich, spiritual way. Each time we open the Bible and seek the heart of God, He wants to speak into our lives. You say, nobody knows what I have to put up with at work, at home, with my family, my husband, my wife, my kids, with my teachers or professors, my roommates, my neighbors, with my coworkers, my boss. No one understands. There is one who knows. And in fact, He put up with much more in so doing, leaving an example to follow. Who are we to be like? Jesus. We are to follow Him. This is one of the clearest passages in the New Testament on the vicarious substitutionary atonement in the sacrifice of Christ. I want to remind you, regardless of your station in life, your circumstances of life, Jesus took on flesh, and suffered the ultimate, undeserving abuse and death, because of you, and for you. The outline is simple but glorious. I am not suggesting your mistreatment, your abuse, your circumstances are unimportant to be dismissed or disregarded. Quite the contrary. If you are living as a fully devoted follower of Jesus, it will cost you, likely has cost you in some way. And I believe it is only going to get worse. So, how do we respond? We follow our Savior Jesus, who endured so much for us. Let us seek to emulate our Lord Jesus in all things, by keeping our old sin nature nailed to the Cross and appropriating all that we have in our new life in Christ, for we have been called for this purpose, to suffer for Christ's sake Who left us an example that we should follow in His steps. This cannot be carried out in our own strength, but it can be carried out in His sufficient strength as we abide in Him and He in us so that the life we live becomes a reflection of Him!!!
Father thank You for this day and that Christ not only gave us the perfect example of how to live a godly life that is pleasing to You, but equipped us by making me a new creation in Christ, breaking the power of sin in our lives and by giving us His resurrected life within. Lord let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family’s life today. Lord thank You that we have been called for a purpose. Lord help us to be willing to suffer for You Who loved us so much that You went to the Cross on our behalf’s. Lord use my friend to be a blessing someone needs today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!
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