In His Steps

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that Judgeth righteously:

24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

1 Peter 2:21-25

The book, In His Steps, by Charles Sheldon, has become quite popular again in recent days. Sheldon used this passage, particularly 1 Peter 2:21, as the basis for his book. If you haven't read the book, I would suggest you do; sometimes we learn lessons better when we see them illustrated in another person's life, and then realize that we have the same problem.

Very often we get so used to hearing about Christ and His crucifixion that we tend to overlook the reality of what He endured. Because He is God, we think it was easier for Him than it would be for us. But look at the reality of what Christ endured and how He responded. When He was reviled, He reviled not again; when He suffered He threatened not. We tend to think of meekness, as exhibited here by Christ, to be weakness. We are encouraged to stand up for ourselves and not let people walk all over us.

Yet Christ had eternity in view; He was coming to the event for which He entered this world as the God-Man.

How, then, can we walk in His steps? We certainly can't die for the sins of others; we can't even die for our own sins. That was Christ's purpose, but each Christian has his own unique purpose designed by God to fulfill while on this earth. We are to live our lives with eternity's values in view, not the values of this world.

Pray that God would remind you that as a Christian, you are returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your soul. Your purpose in this world is unique and given to you by God; pray that you would truly live with eternity's values in view!