We are to Emulate Christ’s Example

I Peter 2:18–25
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There were over sixty million slaves in the Roman empire. Slavery was a way of life. Slaves served in any number of capacities including manual labor, doctors, teachers, musicians, etc. Some slaves, after accepting Jesus as their Savior, desired personal and political freedom, resulting in problems for the church (1 Cor. 7:18-20). We no longer have slavery in America, but the principles discussed in this passage still apply to us today. We must be submissive to our employers whether they are kind or unkind to us. When a Christian employee is wronged by an unbelieving boss, he needs to “take it patiently”. Our relationship to God is far more important than our relationship to men. 

The Christian life is a call to suffering (v. 21). Jesus suffered and died on the cross. The apostles and the early Christians also suffered and died for their faith. And the more they suffered, the more the gospel message spread throughout the whole Roman empire. Jesus is our example of suffering. Though sinless, He suffered at the hands of corrupt authorities. He never retaliated or tried to get even (vv. 22-23). Why not? Because He had fully committed Himself to His Father’s will. There are some false teachers today who claim that Christians who suffer are outside of God’s will. The death of Jesus nullifies their argument completely. His death on the cross proved that a person can be in the will of God and stillsuffer unjustly. He died as the sinner’s substitute, carrying the burden of our sins (v. 24). And like a good shepherd, He reaches out to the lost sheep (v. 25). We can submit to Him and know that He will work out everything together for our good and His glory.

Application

Have I truly repented of all sin and now look to Jesus and His Word for the direction of my life? How do I respond to unfair suffering? In view of this Scripture how do I want to handle it differently in the future?