Following Christ's Steps in Suffering: 1 Peter 2:17-25

1Pet. 2:17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

All people have been made in the image of God and should be honored. God has called us to particularly love fellow believers. We are to honor our leaders for their position even if we don’t agree with their positions. Notice, we fear God while we only honor the king (Matt. 10:28).

1Pet. 2:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.

1Pet. 2:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

1Pet. 2:20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

Our allegiance to Christ should come before our personal preference, safety and comfort.

 1Pet. 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

1Pet. 2:22   “Who committed no sin,

         Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

1Pet. 2:23 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;

Jesus didn’t try to seek justice or avenge Himself – He committed it to the Father and trusted Him to handled it and we must do the same.  

 1Pet. 2:24 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.

Under Levitial law wrongdoers were beaten to settle a dispute. Jesus took the beating those who wrong us deserve, so that we can forgive and our relationships can be healed.

1Pet. 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.