18 SERVANTS, BE SUBMISSIVE TO YOUR MASTERS WITH ALL FEAR, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
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.
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.
25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
1 Peter 2:18-25 (NKJV)
• Whatever you are permitted to suffer or go through, as a believer in Christ Jesus, has a purpose:
a. It could be for your pruning, for the fruit bearing purpose:
“I [Jesus] AM THE TRUE VINE, AND MY FATHER [God] IS THE VINEDRESSER. 2 EVERY BRANCH IN ME THAT DOES NOT BEAR FRUIT HE TAKES AWAY; AND EVERY BRANCH THAT BEARS FRUIT HE PRUNES, THAT IT MAY BEAR MORE FRUIT" (John 15:2 NKJV).
b. It could also be for your growth or maturity which would eventually give you the ability to use the comfort you received, when you are going through the sufferings, to comfort others:
3 BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF MERCIES AND GOD OF ALL COMFORT, 4 WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TRIBULATION, THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO COMFORT THOSE WHO ARE IN ANY TROUBLE, WITH THE COMFORT WITH WHICH WE OURSELVES ARE COMFORTED BY GOD. 5 FOR AS THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST ABOUND [increase] IN US, SO OUR CONSOLATION ALSO ABOUNDS [increases] THROUGH CHRIST" (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
- In other words, the sufferings you are going through is for the maximization of the fruit bearing purpose in your life (John 15:2), and the instilling in you, the ability to comfort others in troubles or tribulations (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).
- When you suffer as a believer in Christ Jesus, although not for the evil or the wrong you did, you should not see it as a strange thing or a thing to be discouraged about (1 Peter 4:12).
READ: 1 Peter 4:12-16
• Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour mean, giving the ownership of your life to Him. In other words, Christ Jesus being your Lord, means being your Owner—your allegiance or devotedness should be to Him.
- You literally live for Him, you no longer live your own life, the way you want, but how He wants: "HE DIED FOR EVERYONE SO THAT THOSE WHO RECEIVE HIS NEW LIFE WILL NO LONGER LIVE FOR THEMSELVES. INSTEAD, THEY WILL LIVE FOR CHRIST, WHO DIED AND WAS RAISED FOR THEM" (2 Corinthians 5:15 NLT).
READ: Romans 6:11; 14:7-9; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 4:2 - Thus, the Psalmist says: "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD . . . " (Psalm 23:1); and If He was your Shepherd truly, He should be the Lord of all in your life—your living and death should be for Him:
7 FOR NONE OF US LIVES TO HIMSELF, AND NO ONE DIES TO HIMSELF. 8 FOR IF WE LIVE, WE LIVE TO THE LORD; AND IF WE DIE, WE DIE TO THE LORD. THEREFORE, WHETHER WE LIVE OR DIE, WE ARE THE LORD'S" (Romans 14:7,8 NKJV). - When you had not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord, you were a sheep strayed from God the Father, your coming to Christ Jesus ochestrated your reconciliation to God: "LIKE SHEEP YOU WANDERED AWAY FROM GOD, BUT NOW YOU HAVE RETURNED TO YOUR SHEPHERD [Jesus Christ], THE GUARDIAN OF YOUR SOULS WHO KEEPS YOU SAFE FROM ALL ATTACKS" (1 Peter 2:25 the Living Bible).
"FOR YOU USED TO BE LIKE SHEEP GONE ASTRAY, but NOW YOU HAVE TURNED TO THE SHEPHERD, WHO WATCHES OVER YOU."
1 Peter 2:25 (Complete Jewish Bible).
• Thus, being reviled, or suffering, because of your Lord, the Shepherd of your soul, should not be a thing to be sad or sorrowful about.
- Take whatever you would need to go through because of your faith in Christ Jesus with a good heart, and see it as what you needed to go through, to share or partake in His suffering for you; and a way to reciprocate: "BUT REJOICE TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU PARTAKE OF CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS, THAT WHEN HIS GLORY IS REVEALED, YOU MAY ALSO BE GLAD WITH EXCEEDING JOY" (1 Peter 4:13 NKJV).
• You will not fail in Jesus' name.
- Should there be any ailment in your body, receive your healing now in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
- The hold is totally broken and It will never rise again in the precious name of Jesus Christ.
Peace!
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!