1 Peter

1 Peter 2: 17-25

In this passage, Peter talks about the way we should live a good and upright kind of lifestyle. He states that this can be accomplished if we love and respect one another, fear God, and submit to our Earthly authorities. And he also says that if we do live for the Lord, we will surely suffer for the Lord, as well.

Jesus led a sinless life, and yet He suffered greatly for it. To me, Christ set the ultimate example of how to live, and how to suffer. In Luke chapter nine, Jesus says to us, "Take up your cross daily and follow me." And, I think, that in our day to day living, the more we live our lives like Christ, the more we will be treated like Him, and more we will suffer like Him. John 15:18 and 19 says "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own." Surely, if we are not experiencing any persecution on any level, then we must be leading a lifestyle opposite to that of Christ's.

We have to keep our hope and faith, and remind ourselves that God only gives us problems or puts us in situations that He knows that we can handle (1 Cor. 10:13). So, when you think about it, the greater the suffering that we endure for God, the greater His confidence in our faith. So, we can actually consider it an honor whenever God chooses us to suffer for Him.

(1Peter 2:17-25)
Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

"He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth."

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving us this day. Thank you for your holy Word, and for being very clear in your instruction to us on how to live our lives. Help us to remember and apply the principles of this passage during the coming week. Remind us that Christ is our example, and we should strive to live like Him at all costs. Give us the wisdom to recognize that suffering for you is a daily part of the Christian walk, and give us the strength to grow in faith and continue on that walk. Amen.