SEP 24

1 Peter 2:21
Memorise 1 Peter 2:21
“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps”

As a young believer, you might be afraid of suffering. However, as you grow in the faith, you will find yourself bolder and braver in the face of persecution and unjust treatment. This is because the Spirit of Christ that is in you gives you grace and strength to overcome your timidity and fears. The Word of God will also fortify you especially as you read the Beatitudes of Matthew 5 and the double blessings of the persecuted (verses 10-11). Here in the portion of Scripture before us, the Apostle Peter teaches us that as believers we are actually called to suffer for righteousness’ sake for this is “acceptable with God” (1 Peter 2:20).

“Christ also suffered for us.” His life on earth was one of unjust treatment by a world which rejected Him. They refused to believe Him when He said that He and the Father are one. They mocked his miracles. They conspired to send Him to die on the cross though He had done no wrong. Was He guilty of any wrongdoing? No. Did He say an evil word? No. Was His death an unjust execution? Yes. Christ’s death shows us that a person can be perfectly righteous, perfectly obedient to God in everything, and yet suffer. Therefore, we his children, should not be surprised if we suffer too. It is possible to be right and perfect and yet suffer. Jesus did.

We are therefore called to this purpose – to suffer even when we are doing right and good in the sight of the Lord. The world is hostile to us and what we stand for. But take heart, dear teen. The path to glory is through suffering. That’s the pattern for us. Suffering for Christ demands that we respond as He did when He was unjustly treated. In all the circumstances of life, in all the injustices, in all the accusations against Christ that were false, He never sinned in anything. That’s why Christ is our perfect model.

Dear teen, perhaps the question you are asking yourself is how are you to be blameless in all the false accusations, unfair and unjust situations of life. I desire to be Christ-like in my spiritual walk but will I ever be strong enough to be sinless and faultless? Yes, it is possible to be more holy and blameless. God has given us the spiritual resources and armoury to fend off the attacks of the Devil. Ephesians 6:10-18 gives a list of weapons that are at our disposal, that we may “quench the fiery darts of the wicked.”

Thought: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
Prayer: Father in heaven, grant me grace to suffer for Thy great name’s sake and thus glorify Thee.