Dying to Sin and Living for Righteousness
1 Peter 2:18-25 (NIV) 18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 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. 24 “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.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
I once read that the four saddest words in our lexicon are “if only” and “next time.” We are unaware of how much of our lives are consumed by regret over yesterday and dread of tomorrow. Yet, the Shepherd of our Souls patiently waits for us to recognize the sound of His voice and follow.
What enables us to recognize someone’s voice? It is not just the tenor of the voice that becomes familiar, but it is the content of what is said. And it is by staying in close contact and listening, really listening, that we can discern one voice from another.
So it is with our Savior.
One of my greatest difficulties is my propensity to answer insults or slights rather than just letting go. God knows my heart, and He knows your heart. Perhaps today we can be intentional in not just following in the footsteps of Jesus but imitating Him in all we say and do.
May we bring honor to our Savior by both our words and our actions, and may we take the name of Jesus and share Him with all we meet.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Seeking Holiness 