Follow in His Steps
1 Peter 2:21-25 (NLT)
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.
He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
Once you were like sheep
who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
the Guardian of your souls.
Reflection
We can’t argue with a Savior who tells us up front that we will suffer if we follow Him. Christianity is not for the faint-hearted. Suffering for our beliefs, though, is quite different from suffering because sin entered the world. For believers, both are inevitable and both find their meaning in Christ, but what distinguishes them is choice—we can choose not to follow Jesus and thus avoid the double whammy.
However, if we choose to follow in His steps, the behavior we should exhibit when facing persecution is non-negotiable: we must imitate the humility modeled in this passage. Will we carry out this calling perfectly? No, but the pattern of our lives should consistently reflect the love Jesus has for everyone, including those who ostracize and persecute us.
Looking at the spiritual trajectory of this world, nothing short of a planetary revival will prevent persecution from coming our way. The prophet Isaiah says, “For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall” (Isaiah 25:4). If we stand firm in our faith now, God will be our shelter when the rain starts pouring down.
Action Steps
Reread this passage and consider how you respond to insults, injustice, and threats. Do your responses mirror the humility of Jesus?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for guarding my soul against the contempt this world has for Your truth. Lead me where You need me to go so I can point the way to salvation amid rejection and opposition. Amen.
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.
He personally carried our sins
in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
and live for what is right.
By his wounds
you are healed.
Once you were like sheep
who wandered away.
But now you have turned to your Shepherd,
the Guardian of your souls.
Reflection
We can’t argue with a Savior who tells us up front that we will suffer if we follow Him. Christianity is not for the faint-hearted. Suffering for our beliefs, though, is quite different from suffering because sin entered the world. For believers, both are inevitable and both find their meaning in Christ, but what distinguishes them is choice—we can choose not to follow Jesus and thus avoid the double whammy.
However, if we choose to follow in His steps, the behavior we should exhibit when facing persecution is non-negotiable: we must imitate the humility modeled in this passage. Will we carry out this calling perfectly? No, but the pattern of our lives should consistently reflect the love Jesus has for everyone, including those who ostracize and persecute us.
Looking at the spiritual trajectory of this world, nothing short of a planetary revival will prevent persecution from coming our way. The prophet Isaiah says, “For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall” (Isaiah 25:4). If we stand firm in our faith now, God will be our shelter when the rain starts pouring down.
Action Steps
Reread this passage and consider how you respond to insults, injustice, and threats. Do your responses mirror the humility of Jesus?
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for guarding my soul against the contempt this world has for Your truth. Lead me where You need me to go so I can point the way to salvation amid rejection and opposition. Amen.

Recent
Archive
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
February
Generosity Begins With PriorityThe Heart of GivingTithing as an Act of FaithThe Blessing of GenerosityTrusting God's FaithfulnessSeeing Yourself Through Jesus' EyesThe Power of Jesus' CallFrom Broken to BlessedEmpowered for PurposeHope for the FutureGod Knows Your NeedBringing Your Needs to JesusFaith in the Face of ImpossibilityJesus' Power Over Death and DiseaseTestimony of God's FaithfulnessCreated For A PurposeCompassion In ActionOvercoming Fear To Share HopeMeeting Needs To Show LoveAnswering the Call
March
HosannaWhat a MiracleI Speak Jesus InhabitJesus Over EverythingThe Risky Call of DiscipleshipGod's Presence in Our VulnerabilityThe Sword of TruthThe Power of Small Acts of KindnessEnduring Faith in the Face of AdversityGod's Perfect TimingAnswering the CallEmpowered for ServiceEmbracing God's Greater PurposeFaithfulness in TrialsAnswering God's CallOvercoming Doubt and FearPerseverance in ObedienceGod's Faithfulness in Our JourneyMountaintop Experiences and Everyday Faith The Danger of Covetousness
April
Trust in God's ProvisionInvesting in God's KingdomThe Deceitfulness of WealthLiving for EternityTrusting God's TimingWalking in Bold FaithObedience When It’s HardThe Power of Your InfluenceRemembering God’s GoodnessThe King We NeedThe Exchange of InnocenceFrom Death to LifeTrue Freedom in ChristThe Power of Sacrificial LoveThe Relentless Love of the Good ShepherdCelebrating the FoundThe Father’s Unconditional LoveThe Heart of JesusHope in God's Unfailing LoveUnmet Expectations and God's LoveFaith in the Midst of ConfusionThe Power of God's Presence
No Comments