What Does It Mean to Follow in His Steps?
1 Peter 2:21-25 (21)
Obeying Authority:
In 1 Peter 2:11-25, Peter writes that Christians are to submit to those in power. He uncovers God's will for the individuals who are free in Christ: to enthusiastically submit to each human authoritative figure for the good of God. This incorporates kings, rulers, governors, and even slave drivers. Peter does not underwrite subjection, yet he trains Christian captives to get through the shameful anguish, as Jesus accomplished this for our good on the cross. He does not anticipate that we should comply or obey when the directions are corrupt. Rather, Christians are called to copy Christ by languishing over something good. Since Jesus was ready to do as such, we, the lost sheep, are currently under the security of our shepherd.
In the few verses prior, Peter has been talking about why and how Christians should submit to the human authoritative power over them. This is a vital piece of submitting to the genuine authority: God Himself. Peter composed that persevering through agony and trouble for undeserved suffering on account of human authority is exemplary before God. Now in verse twenty-one, he offers a strong and amazing expression: Christians are directed to get through any suffering because of doing that which is good. All things considered, we are believers and followers of Christ Jesus, and He suffered for doing good.
More direct, Jesus persevered through torment and distress while accomplishing something useful for us. He languished over us, after being beaten by the Roman guards, and in an act of love, dying on the cross, and bearing our transgressions. Peter says that the actions that Jesus did are intended to be a model for us to follow. Part of our motivation as Christians is persevering through agony and trouble, for accomplishing something beneficial, for the good of the Lord (1 Peter 2:13). Be that as it may, this does exclude enduring the normal fallouts of our own sinful decisions (1 Peter 2:20).
To Endure Suffering:
Following Jesus’ steps means that it may frequently prompt our suffering over making the right decision. Whenever that occurs, it shows that our lives are heading down the correct path, not that we may have turned down the wrong road or that God has deserted us.
There are many motivations behind why we may endure suffering. Some suffering is the immediate aftereffect of our own transgression, some suffering might happen on account of our own silliness, and afterward some suffering is the consequence of living in a fallen world. Peter is expounding on the suffering that comes because of accomplishing something beneficial. Christ never trespassed, yet He suffered with the goal that we would be liberated. Whenever we follow Christ's model and live for other people, we may also suffer. Our objective ought to be to confront suffering as He did, with persistence, serenity, and certainty that God is in charge of all things to come.
What We Learn:
Peter had found out about suffering from what Jesus experienced. He realizes that the suffering that Jesus went through was important for God's plan (Matthew 16:21-24; Luke 24:25-27, and 25:44-47) and was necessary to save us (Matthew 20:28, and 26:28). He additionally realized that all who follow Jesus should be ready to endure suffering (Mark 8:34-35). Peter took in these facts with Jesus and gave them to us.
In Mark 10:21, Jesus is speaking to young rich man. This man had been asking Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus goes through a list of the Ten Commandments but then settles on “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Jesus instructs the man to sell what he has and give it to the poor, to pick up the cross and follow him. He is implying that the man should follow has and where Christ leads him.
People will address a significant expense for something that they esteem. Is anyone shocked that Jesus should request this much responsibility from His believers? There are somewhere around three circumstances that should be met by individuals who intend to or want to follow Jesus. We should be willing to deny ourselves; we should be willing to take up our cross, and we should be willing to surrender our lives. Anything less is shallow dedication.
By His Example:
Christians follow Christ by emulating His life and submitting to His orders. To take up the cross means to deny one's self-centered wants to involve our assets of time and cash in our own specific manner, and to pick our own bearing throughout everyday life. Following Christ is and may be expensive now, yet over the long haul, it is certainly worth the torment and exertion (Luke 9:23).
Jesus said in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you.” The ramification is to permit Jesus to put His own burden on us, the manner in which a rancher would put one on his domesticated animals. It implies giving Jesus the control of our lives and allowing Him to coordinate our endeavors. Jesus says that the work He has will not be troublesome. He wants people to gain from Him. Dissimilar to the Pharisees, Jesus states that De is delicate, He is humble in heart (Philippians 2:6-7), and He has not come to add to their weight yet to give them rest for their spirits.
In view of Paul's own encounters (2 Timothy 3:11), Paul could certainly direct out that loyalty toward Christ prompts mistreatment from the indecent world. This stands as a glaring difference with the “thriving prosperity gospel” within recent memory, which instructs loyalty to God prompts material gifts in this life. Paul showed faithful living included oppression. His own everyday life was a declaration to this educating (2 Timothy 3:12).
Be Willing:
In Acts 14:22, Paul and Barnabas went back to visit the new Christians in every one of the urban areas where they had previously been compromised and assaulted. They knew the perils that they confronted, yet they accepted that they had an obligation to support the new believers. Regardless of how badly arranged or awkward the assignment might appear; we should be prepared to help any new Christians who might require our assistance and consolation. It was not advantageous or agreeable for Jesus to go to the cross for us.
To “follow in His steps,” we must be willing to make a commitment. To “follow in His steps,” we must be willing to pick up our cross. To “follow in His steps” is not always convenient. To “follow in His steps,” we must be willing to get out of our comfort zone.
Ask Yourself:
Who is to “follow in His steps?”
What does it cost to “follow in His steps?”
When are we to “follow in His steps?”
Where are we to “follow in His steps?”
Why are we to “follow in His steps?”
How are we to “follow in His steps?”
What keeps you from giving all to Christ and to "follow in His steps?”
