Day 424: A soul's security - 1 Peter 2 vs 18 – 25
18-20 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God a person endures grief, suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if when you are being beaten for your sins you patiently endure? But if when doing good and suffering for it, you patiently endure, this is favourable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth.” 23 When He was reviled, He did not revile back; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but He entrusted Himself to Him who judges righteously.
24 He Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. “By His wounds you were healed.” 25 For you were as sheep going astray, but now have been returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:18-25 Modern English Version
People who aren't Christians themselves, but are familiar with the life of Jesus as taught in the Bible, would probably still agree with Peter's words in vs 22 that Jesus is a wonderful example of how life should be lived. Peter was urging Christians who were slaves to follow Christ's example of extreme patience when being unfairly and harshly treated. But he then goes on to show that Christ is far more than just 'a good example' to follow! What does vs 22 tell us about Jesus?
He was without sin! Think of that for a moment. He lived a life of perfect obedience to God and there was nothing ever deceitful in Him. That in itself should show us that we’d be foolish to think we can get to heaven by our efforts at following His example. Our best efforts will always fall terribly short of His perfection. This is clearly seen from vs 23. Can any of us honestly say that's how we respond to insults, hurts or unfair treatment we receive? It's verse 24 that takes us to the heart of the gospel and the only way we can ever be perfect in the sight of the holy God who we’ve grieved, and even made angry, by our sins.
We would do well to memorize verse 24 and to think upon it whenever we are treated unfairly or harshly by people, and whenever we feel sinful desires threatening our soul. Jesus took OUR sins upon HIMSELF to the cross. What an amazing transaction that was. His death was a substitution for what we deserve, and a sacrifice to atone for all the wrong we have done when, like sheep, we constantly went astray. And what does that verse say our response to such sacrificial love should be?
We should live unto righteousness. We should look upon ourselves as having died with regard to sin. Wrong things that once excited us and which we chased after should no longer have sway over us. I know that's easier to say than to do. But remember, the setting here was that Peter was calling slaves to patiently endure unfair mistreatment and to respectfully serve harsh masters. That couldn’t have been easy either. So he encourages them to remember what Christ has done for them. And that's what we must do too whenever we face difficult trials or strong temptations. What is the encouragement for Christians that verse 25 gives?
I would say it is the words Peter uses to describe the Lord Jesus Christ's relationship to believers. He is called the 'shepherd' and 'guardian’ our souls. Both words speak of someone who cares, who watches over us, who guides and leads and defends our soul from evil and harm. It doesn't mean we will never face danger or even suffer bodily pains, as Christ did. But it does mean that He will bring our soul safely to heaven. Any harsh and unfair treatment we experience in this world will never compare to the glory and blessing that will be ours when we see the Shepherd who bore our sins in His body on the tree.