example

Serving for the Benefit of Others

Since we are all servants of the Lord, each of us has opportunities to encourage, to share Truths from God’s word, to edify one another – all for God’s glory.

1Peter 5:2-4

Recall from our last study, the Apostle Peter counts himself among those who are leading the church. He does this with humility and describes himself as one who has witnessed the sufferings of Christ, and one who is promised the glory of Heaven. In the next few verses, Peter gives general instruction to the leaders of the church, explains the details of his instruction, and encourages them with a reminder of their future in Christ.

1Peter 5:2-4 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

The Apostle gives a general instruction to shepherd the flock, then he describes what it means. He answers the question, ‘How are we to do this?’.

By exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God;

Not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

Nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

The ‘flock’ are those who follow Jesus, those who belong to God. The elders or ministers of the church are to care for God’s children. This is a serious stewardship and responsibility. Thought – do you pray for the elders in your church? How difficult do you think it might be to oversee individuals who have different personalities, come from different backgrounds and experiences, and are in varying stages of spiritual growth and maturity?

Shepherds guide their flock to food, and they protect their flock. The KJV reads ‘feed the flock’. Peter would well remember this same charge repeatedly given to him by Jesus. Recall that three times Peter had denied Jesus (Matthew 26:70,72,74). In the book of John, we read the interaction between the risen Christ and Peter. Jesus questions Peter’s love for him three times; then Jesus gives him a charge to care for the church – three times. The repetition of this exchange is important to show Peter’s genuine repentance, but also the repetition to shepherd the flock shows it is gravely important.

John 21:15-17 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs." He *said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." He *said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep.

Paul gave the same instruction to the elders in Ephesus as they gathered in Miletus. Acts 20:28 "Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

When you read this verse, what insights do you have? I thought it was interesting when I read one commentary on the explanation of feeding the flock. It simply said, ‘Do not fleece the flock’ (Adam Clarke’s Commentary). The meaning is quite clear – to fleece someone means to rip them off for your own benefit. This is the opposite of feeding the flock with the purpose of growing their understanding and desiring their individual blessing as a result. It is the opposite of caring for them. The leaders were to shepherd the flock of God among them, or those in close proximity to them. They were to shepherd the flock diligently and willingly, not because they had to but because they wanted to.

“Not by constraint, but willingly. Not as if you felt that a heavy yoke was imposed on you, or a burden from which you would gladly be discharged. Go cheerfully to your duty as a work which you love, and act like a freeman in it, and not as a slave. Arduous as are the labours of the ministry, yet there is no work on earth in which a man can and should labour more cheerfully”, Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary.

Exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; They were to care for the church, understanding they were stewards of God’s church, and they were to set the greater interest of their ministry on those who were in their immediate surroundings. God has purposefully placed His children right where He wants them. Not by compulsion – as if forced to do so, but voluntarily – willingly. Think of the difference between being made to do something and wanting to do something. The church at the time Peter wrote this was under persecution; overseeing the spiritual care of individuals was a difficult task. Serving should not be looked upon as a burden.

Although these instructions are written to a specific group of individuals – the elders and leaders of the church – this does not mean we can cast away the principles set before us. Since we are all servants of the Lord, each of us has opportunities to encourage, to share Truths from God’s word, to edify one another – all for God’s glory.

Do you serve willingly with a cheerful heart, grateful for the opportunities God gives you? Or do you serve because you feel pressured to do so?

What is the attitude of your service? Are we truly desiring spiritual growth and blessing in other’s lives?

The purpose of our service is to glorify God, the mission of our service is to share the Gospel. We are to act according to God’s will, not our own. Our service should not be for our own gain, but the blessing and spiritual growth of others; this is what glorifies God.

When our sight is on God’s glory, we are not as easily discouraged. We cannot be driven by what we think but rather our actions are to be based on the Truths in God’s Word. How can we be certain we are acting according to God’s will rather than our own desires?

Psalm 54:6 Willingly I will sacrifice to You; I will give thanks to Your name, O LORD, for it is good.

Psalm 78:70-72 He also chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from the care of the ewes with suckling lambs He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them with his skillful hands.

And not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;

Are you looking to get or give? Are you seeking to be noticed?

Again, be certain of your motivation. We should not serve to look important or to be recognized. If this is your goal, you will be easily discouraged and lose your interest and become disenchanted with others. Instead, we should serve willingly, always motivated by our love for God and for one another.

“But of a ready mind. Cheerfully, promptly. We are to labour in this work, not under the influence of the desire of gain, but from the promptings of love. There is all the difference conceivable between one who does a thing because he is paid for it and one who does it from love--between, for example, the manner in which one attends on us when we are sick who loves us, and one who is merely hired to do it”, Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary.

Nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge,

The leaders in the church were not to think of themselves as greater than those they were shepherding; theirs was not a position of control but of shepherding, teaching, and caring for the flock. Looking at the translation of these words, it could be worded ‘but not in a manner of dominating God’s children’. Everyone, especially those in any kind of leadership position, needs to remember they are stewards in all roles God has placed them. It is an honor and a privilege to serve our Lord. Remember, those who are called by God belong to Him.

Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

2Corinthians 1:24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

The leaders of the church are to guide the flock, feed the flock, and protect the flock, not in a position of absolute authority or dominion, but with a heart of love. There are many so-called religions whose leaders place themselves in a position of authority and lordship which is exactly opposite of the teachings we find in God’s word. Think of the pharisees dressing in a certain way to be recognized. All honor and glory is to be for God alone.

Jeremiah 3:15 "Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.

“Preacher or minister, whosoever thou art, who readest this, apply not the word to thy neighbour, whether he be state-appointed, congregation-appointed, or self-appointed; take all to thyself; ... See that thy own heart, views, and conduct be right with God”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

But proving to be examples to the flock. “Not assuming to yourselves dominion over those who fall to your lot; but being humble, and behaving towards them with such gentle, tender solicitude for their souls, and such an entire freedom from the very appearance either of avarice or ambition, that your examples may be rendered worthy the imitation of the flock, and your conduct as instructive as any of your cautions and precepts can be”, Doddridge.

In other words, practice what you preach. To preach without practice is called hypocrisy.

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.

I am drawn to think of the sincerity of the heart. We all know individuals who say one thing and do another. Often, words alone do not convey what is in a person’s heart. It is the action we see which shows genuineness. Consider our greatest example of humility in leadership – Jesus. He walked as a man yet was Lord of all. He did not force His Truths upon others; He lived the Truth. His example was service, yet He had all authority. Following His Father’s plan was difficult, yet Jesus submitted to God’s will. Each of us should consider the example of our actions.

If I say I am a Christian, do I live as one? Are the words I share reflected in the life I live? Telling others the way they should act is not as effective as showing others through your own life. The elders or leaders in the church were exhorted to shepherd those whom God had placed in their care. Shepherding was not a position of authority but rather a position of guidance and instruction in Truth by example. This was a high calling, and considering the period of time in which it was written, a difficult calling – one filled with trials and persecution – yet they were called to be faithful, to be humble, and to be an example. All the while looking to the glory of Heaven. This is the motivation and the promise to those who labor for Christ.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. The Chief Shepherd is Jesus. Those leaders who are faithful, who place themselves under Christ’s authority, who accept their role of shepherding the sheep with humility of heart and care for the lost, will be rewarded when Jesus returns. “O ye heavenly-minded, diligent, self-denying pastors after God's own heart, whether ye be in the Church established by the state, or in those divisions widely separated from, or nearly connected with it, take courage; preach Jesus; press through all difficulties in the faith of your God; fear no evil while meditating nothing but good. Ye are stars in the right hand of Jesus, who walks among your golden candlesticks, and has lighted that lamp of life which ye are appointed to trim; fear not, your labour in the Lord cannot be in vain!”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

Think of the analogy used above: a lighted candlestick which requires trimming. If you do not trim the wick of a candle, it will burn furiously bright for a while but will then dim and eventually drown itself out in a pool of hot wax. To remain a continuous steady light, it needs regular trimming.

1Peter 1:3-7 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1Corinthians 9:23-25 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Notice it is an unfading crown of glory which is received. This is unlike the crowns used in that period of history for victors in public games and the conquerors of war. The crowns placed on their heads were made of leaves and flowers which would eventually fade and dry up. The Greek word used for ‘unfading’, or in the KJV, ‘that fadeth not away’, comes from the word for a flower called amaranth. Even after these flowers die, they retain their rich color. The crown of glory, also referred to as the crown of righteousness and the crown of life, is imperishable. An eternal reward awaits those who labor for Jesus.

2Timothy 4:8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

“And if this be indeed your character and behaviour, you will render up your account hereafter with joy; for when he, who does you the honour to acknowledge himself the chief Shepherd of the flock, shall appear, to take the final survey of it, and examine into the conduct of those to whom he had partly committed it, you shall be most magnificently and nobly rewarded, and receive an unfading crown of glory: a crown which shall bloom in immortal beauty and vigour, when all the transitory glories of this world are withered like a fading flower”, Doddridge.

Apply It!

Pray for your Elders and Leaders that they seek to glorify God in their service.

Do you seek to make their leadership easier by trusting God for their direction or do you voice discontent regarding their leadership?

Do you serve with a cheerful heart, desiring that others are blessed? How can you grow in this area?

Are you discouraged if your service goes unrecognized? Do you need to check your motivation?

Do your words and actions reflect your love for God?

Humility in the Face of False Accusations.

Our example is to keep on committing ourselves and circumstances to God.

Jesus surrendered His cause to God.

1Peter 2:23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting [Himself] to Him who judges righteously;

Hebrews 12:3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.

“To avoid evil tempers, and the uneasiness and danger of avenging ourselves, it is a great advantage in all such cases to be able to refer our cause to God, and to be assured that the Judge of all the earth will do right”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.

Considering the obvious application of not returning harsh words for those received, I would think we all have something to work on! Even if we do not verbalize our remarks, the thoughts we have which are odious towards others make us guilty.

Jesus was accused, although He was innocent, by those in authority in the face of many present. Think of the public humiliation and shame thrown at Him, yet He did not return insults or even answer harshly. He did not seek revenge but instead prayed for their forgiveness. He committed all things to God knowing that God would exact justice.

It is impossible for man to attain a position of perfect holiness. So even in that rare instance of wrong accusation, reproach for something is probably deserved. Our fight must be to remain as holy as possible, following the example set before us so that any accusation brought against us has no merit. The concern we should concentrate on is to seek to prove our genuine faith in humility before our gracious and forgiving God.

How should you respond when you meet with false accusations, harsh words, and unfair treatment?

Keeping some truths before us will help in our response –

We are worthy only because of Christ – being reminded of this helps to pull down the inflated picture we have of ourselves,

Our value and confidence rest in His claim on us – not because of any claim we might have,

Our hope is in God’s righteousness and perfect judgment – He alone sees all things exactly as they are and He alone is worthy to bless or condemn,

We are to be an example of His holiness in all our behavior – regardless of the circumstance or even perceived atrocities against us. We need to remember love is unconditional; We are called to forgive without limitations.

It is entirely God’s right to use His children as He wills for His glory. Our humble submission to His will proves our genuine love for Him. When we are wronged, responding rightly gives glory to God. This is not an excuse for individuals to mistreat others, but it is an opportunity for God’s children to grow in holiness.

Psalm 37:5-8 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. And He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret, [it leads] only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

Jesus entrusted Himself to God, “who although He commands His people to manifest a Christian spirit towards all, will nevertheless condemn and punish those who oppress or injure them”, Family Bible Notes.

Read Matthew 25:40-46.

Judgement is God’s call alone – He is the only One who is completely righteous and sees all things as they truly are. When I consider what my submissiveness should look like, my mind goes to a familiar snapshot of what it should not look like. Picture someone who must have the ‘last word’. In the following verse, read how Scripture teaches against this.

Titus 2:9-10 [Urge] bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

The phrase ‘not argumentative’ means not answering back, not disputing, not contradicting, not speaking against. And look at the purpose of this instruction – so that the doctrine of our Savior in all things might be adorned.

Think! What type of behavior attracts others towards the beauty of God’s truths?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary notes, “Leave your case in His hands, not desiring to make Him executioner of your revenge, but rather praying for enemies. God’s righteous judgment gives tranquility and consolation to the oppressed”.

Ephesians 6:7-8 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

Notice the words, ‘but kept entrusting Himself’. Our example is to keep on committing ourselves and circumstances to God. This is to be a continuous practice, not a ‘one and done’ deal.

I love what is shared in Spurgeon’s Devotional Commentary, “What an example! May the Holy Spirit enable us to imitate it. He was the paragon of patience, the mirror of endurance. He was absolutely perfect, and yet was infinitely a sufferer, but he never complained, or resented wrong. Master of Patience, teach thy disciples”.

Perhaps you pray these same words I pray –

“O Lord, keep my thoughts holy, my actions helpful, and my words encouraging, and when necessary, keep my ears deaf and my mouth silent”. I want to think of those things that are right, good, and true. I want to always be mindful of serving others rather than self in my actions and conversation. I do not need to hear or know every detail of circumstances and I absolutely do not need to share what I think at every instance.

1Peter 2:24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

Jesus offered Himself up to carry the burden of our sin so that we who were dead in our transgressions would be made righteous through Him. Only by His suffering are we healed.

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being [fell] upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

We can either focus on the difficult circumstances we may face, or we can remember the incredible gift we have received from Jesus. Because of Him, we are no longer under the power and control of sin. Because of Him we are purposed to righteousness. Remember who Peter was writing to – those who were being treated unfairly and persecuted. The truth they now followed was different than what they had seen practiced. The high priests in the Jewish culture had regularly offered sacrifices for their own sins and the sins of the people. These sacrifices needed to be repeated again and again. The Gentiles had not even been considered as God’s people.

1Peter 2:10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

In contrast, Jesus offered Himself as the One perfect sacrifice for all mankind, the only complete fulfillment of the debt owed. Even in difficulties, these converts were reminded to follow Jesus’ example and patiently endure just as He did for them. The same is true for us today.

Is your focus on the problems which permeate our world or on the greater purpose of salvation through the Gospel?

Look up Romans 6:1-23.

Colossians 1:21-22 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, [engaged] in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach--

John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

1Peter 2:25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

We were once straying like sheep; we are now under the care of the Shepherd. To go astray means to roam from safety or truth, to be deceived, to err, to be seduced or delusional. We were weak and under the guise of the deception of sin. In this position we had no hope but to stray from Truth. Following the tradition of laws and the idols of men offers no hope for the future. This message was one that needed to be heard then and now. The Apostle Peter offered a reminder and encouragement with his words of belonging to the Shepherd and Guardian of souls.

Remember who we are without Jesus – straying sheep. We walk away from safety and Truth. We are easily deceived and seduced by the world.

Ezekiel 34:6 "My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill, and My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth; and there was no one to search or seek [for them.]"

Because of Christ, we have been rescued and returned to His care. The reference of Christ as the Guardian of your soul, places His children directly under His care and charge. This is Whom you can place your complete hope and trust.

“It follows that the welfare of the soul may be committed to him with confidence. It is the object of his special guardianship, and he will not be unfaithful to the trust reposed in him. There is nothing more safe than the human soul is when it is committed in faith to the keeping of the Son of God”, Albert Barnes’ NT Notes.

John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Read God’s promise to the nation of Israel – Ezekiel 34:11-15

This is the Gospel of God’s grace.

We are saved from –

Danger to Protection,

Death to Life,

Wandering to Purpose, and

Despair to Hope.

2Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

To say I am convinced in the above verse means ‘I am able, by the evidence and authority of God before me, to depend on with certainty and confidence’ that Jesus is my Example, my Defender, and my Protector.

How do we respond to 1 Peter 2:21-25?

With a heart of gratitude, commitment, and faithfulness
Seeking to live righteously causing no offense towards others, patiently and quietly enduring unfair treatment
Looking to our eternal future
Placing complete and constant trust in the One who knows all things, has endured all things, and will one day cause all things and persons to bow at the feet of His throne.

Philippians2:9 Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 5:13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, [be] blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."

“But now ye are, by divine grace, recovered and turned again to him who bears the important and tender character of the great Shepherd and Bishop of your souls, who has graciously received you under his pastoral care, and will maintain that inspection over you which shall be your continued security from returning to those fatal wanderings; and the sense of this may cheer and comfort you under any oppression or injuries to which you may be exposed”, Philip Doddridge.

Philippians 2:5-8 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, [and] being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Because of God’s love, because of His grace and mercy, we are saved, we are cared for, we are protected, and we are kept.

Follow His Steps

Consider taking a walk at the beach in the wet sand, leaving footprints behind and someone following your exact steps. This is the conveyance of ‘follow Me’.

1Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

Verse 21 continues to give a reason for the behaviors Peter is assigning to believers. We are to love one another, we are to fear God, we are to submit to authority even when it is unreasonable, we are to be patient when wronged, because it is acceptable to God that we follow His example.

Christians have a purpose. We have been called to imitate Christ, to follow in His footsteps.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Read Philippians 2:5-8.

Matthew 10:38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

1John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

We are to seek to follow Christ precisely. Consider taking a walk at the beach in the wet sand, leaving footprints behind and someone following your exact steps. School age children often play ‘follow-the-leader’ in which everyone behind the leader seeks to copy the behavior of the one leading. This is the conveyance of ‘follow Me’.

1John 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Jesus patiently endured under undeserved suffering. People speak of having a profession. They associate with a chosen profession and with that association comes certain expectations and responsibilities to fulfill. As a professed child of God, you have a pattern to follow, a purpose to fulfill. Christ not only suffered as an example to follow after, He suffered for us or for the sake of us. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary says this “imposes an everlasting obligation on us to please Him”.

1Corinthians 6:20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Do you emulate kindness and forgiveness and a willingness to sacrifice self in order to serve others?

1Peter 3:8-9 To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 2:21 reads “leaving you an example”. In the Greek translation this literally means a written copy from masters to their students. We have the testimony of Jesus’ life written in His word so that we might closely follow Him. There is an exhortation for us, a requirement –

Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

“And I would particularly urge this meek and patient temper upon you; for to this you were called, when you were brought into the profession of the Christian faith; because Christ himself, pure and spotless as he was, suffered not only buffetings and stripes, but deep and mortal wounds, for you, leaving you an example and copy, that you might with certainty trace, and with constancy and diligence follow, his footsteps, and by observing them as his, be charmed to an imitation, even where it was most difficult and painful”, Philip Doddridge.

William Burkitt New Testament notes, “You must bear the cross, before you wear the crown”.

We are encouraged to imitate Christ’s example of holiness in obedience and patience.

Ephesians 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

1Peter 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

1Peter 2:22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;

Perfection – this is Christ. Although He was man, still He was God, perfect in all His ways. Accused of sin, He was put to death and suffered for sin, all the while with no murmuring of sin in thought, word, or deed.

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

2Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as [we are, yet] without sin.

We suffer because of sin in our lives. Even though we may be ill-treated for a moment, we still deserve whatever suffering we incur because of sin. “We should so live, as the Savior did, as not to deserve to be punished, and thus only shall we entirely follow His example. It is as much our duty to live so as not to deserve the reproaches of others, as it is to bear them with patience when we are called to suffer them”, Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary.

1Peter 2:20 For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer [for it] you patiently endure it, this [finds] favor with God.

Hebrews 7:25-26 Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

Jesus is holy. Not merely blameless in actions but pure in heart, completely and perfectly holy. No other could have offered to pay the penalty for our sin. Only through Christ are we forgiven and cleansed from sin. What is our response to this undeserved gift? We are to be humble, seeking righteousness in all circumstances. This is our act of service; this is our example to follow. Christ was perfect in all things yet suffered willingly and humbly. Should not we who are sinful be willing to suffer whatever befalls us, whether deserved or undeserved at the moment, with a quiet and grateful spirit? Obviously, we cannot arrive at perfection, however we ought to seek to follow Christ as closely as possible.

As a people group, we have claimed rights to so many things. In the U.S., we have been given rights through our government in our constitution. It is an incredible blessing to live with the freedoms we proclaim. But let us not lose sight of our purpose in seeking to preserve our freedom. Our purpose in Christ is to proclaim His Gospel, to glorify His name. Jesus willingly gave up His rights in obedience to His Father, for our redemption. Are you standing for Christ or for yourself when you proclaim your ‘rights’?

Jesus did not die for our rights –

He died so that our righteousness may be found in Him.

He died for our sin so that we might die unto sin.

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.

Luke 23:38-41 Now there was also an inscription above Him, "THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS." And one of the criminals who were hanged [there] was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? "And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

“Christ was most shamefully reviled, having the dirt of a thousand scandals, slanders, reproaches, and blasphemies, cast upon him, yet he reviled not again not giving them one ill word for all. And when he suffered all manner of injuries and indignities at once, being buffeted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, and crucified, though he had power sufficient to look them into nothing, to frown them into hell, yet he threatened them not with the least revenge, but prayed for his murderers, and committed his cause to a just and righteous God: He threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously”, William Burkitt New Testament .

Aliens

As a professed child of God, you have a pattern to follow, a purpose to fulfill.

Aliens are Real!

Picture a room full of people, each given a task to take the pencil and paper in front of them and draw an alien. There is to be no talking, no collaboration; the assignment is to be taken seriously. As you look around the room, you see a mixture of expressions, those who are concentrating, and those who look amused. Are aliens real, or are they imagined?

The Bible tells us aliens are real. It also tells us they are not of this world. They ‘look’ different, and they act different from citizens of earth. This is the premise for 1Peter Chapter 2. I encourage you to read 1Peter 2 from the beginning, then continue on with this study of verses 21-23.

1Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

Verse 21 continues to give a reason for the ‘out of this world’ behaviors Peter is assigning to believers. We are to love one another, we are to fear God, we are to submit to authority even when it is unreasonable, and we are to be patient when wronged, because it is acceptable to God that we follow His example.

Christians have a purpose. We have been called to imitate Christ, to follow in His footsteps. We are set apart, not belonging to the world, yet in the world. Therefore, our actions will be different.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Matthew 10:38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.

1John 2:6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

We are to seek to follow Christ precisely. Picture taking a walk at the beach in the wet sand, leaving footprints behind, with someone following your exact steps. School age children often play ‘follow-the-leader’ in which everyone behind the leader seeks to copy the behavior of the one leading. This is the conveyance of ‘follow Me’.

1John 3:16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1Corinthians 6:20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Do you emulate kindness and forgiveness and a willingness to sacrifice self in order to serve others? Warning!!! This behavior may expose your true identity as an alien!