I Peter 2:21-24 NKJV
[21] For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: [22] “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; [23] who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; [24] who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.
There is something that as a body of Christ we don’t speak about very often.
Suffering.
This is a strong word.
To suffer is to experience pain or mental distress. To be emotionally crumbled and spiritually fatigued.
I would hope that those proclaiming that following Jesus Christ would bring us prosperity and plenty would realize that we are called to suffer for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom.
Jesus has left us an example. He has called us to follow in His holy and precious steps.
‘For this you were called’.
Charles Sheldon, the Great Author, said this in his highly recommended book
‘In His Steps’
“But if our definition of being a Christian is simply to enjoy the privileges of worship, be generous at no expense to ourselves, have a good, easy time surrounded by pleasant friends and by comfortable things, live respectably and at the same time avoid the world’s great stress of sin and trouble because it is too much pain to bear it—if this is our definition of Christianity, surely we are a long way from following the steps of Him who trod the way with groans and tears and sobs of anguish for a lost humanity; who sweat, as it were, great drops of blood, who cried out on the upreared cross, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
I’m not sure how many times I’ve read this. Today it settled in my heart differently.
There is a beauty of restoration through Christ. There is power to be recharged from.
There is hope that the suffering will one day be done.
But the expectation of an easy life here on this earth in the flesh,no such promise has been made by our Lord.
Yes we all want to be blessed and highly favored. We want to be the head and not the tail. Everyone wants the favor of God.
My question is this.
Would you rather suffer in this world with the promise of heaven or have the riches and comfort of this world?
In this passage Peter is not calling for just a spiritual devotion to Jesus. Peter is challenging us to follow Christ in a culture that comes against and even punishes those with faith in Christ just because of our devotion to the Throne of Heaven!
What keeps us from full heartedly following Jesus Christ!
Fear.
So many of us have allowed ourselves to be dictated to what pleases men instead of God. Many submit themselves to what man wills rather than what God commands.
I have to think and remind myself often about the Apostles of Jesus.
All suffered for the Glory of God and His Kingdom. All but one lost his life. The one that was spared was exiled for the remainder of his life to the island of Patmos.
They understood something many of us today miss.
They were certain, without a shadow of a doubt, that what Jesus said was true.
This is were the promises come in:
I will never leave you.
I will never forsake you.
I will be with you.
I will give you rest.
I am gentle and humble in heart.
And so many more!
When we stand firm for the Kingdom of God things seem to get more difficult. The trials and tribulations of life start to come our way.
As troubling and horrible it may be, we must not allow these things to distract us from the work that has been tasked to us.
No matter how hard the enemy comes to steal and kill, one thing is for certain, God Reigns!
Ephesians 1:3 NKJV
[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
They are definitely not rewards for the “good people” These are gifts from the Father.
Gifts to get through. Assurance of His presence and watchful eye.
We are called to share the love of Christ.
Nor deceit in our mouths. No revile in return.
Suffering without threatening.
So we can learn to live a Holy and Righteous life.
That’s following in His footsteps.
The glory goes to God, not us.
He will always give you what is needed for that trial. He will see you through the tribulation.
For me, my hardest thing is to relinquish what wisdom and knowledge I think I have and allow God to be God!
Have hope today in the hardships that this world brings!
Rely on the promises and Spiritual gifts to see you through.
Try walking in His steps today and see where and what He will lead you through!
Pastor Ed
