SUBMISSION SHOWS PURPOSE
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Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, yours was a life of complete submission to the will of your Father. Help me trust in you, knowing you will always call me to do what is best.
Read 1 PETER 2:18–25
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Reflect
Where do you find obedience to God’s will a challenge?
Even successful people admit that finding a purpose in life is hard. Here, a humble fisherman, called by God to follow Jesus, shares two key ideas that may make a difference to those of us humble enough to accept them. The first idea focuses on the word ‘submit.’ This is an attitude, not merely actions that please our employers, masters, or clients (v. 18). We are to be cooperative ‘not only to those who are good and considerate but also to those who are harsh.’
Appropriate submissiveness to God is a critical attitude for those who follow Christ. It opens our hearts to the One who knows all. Voluntarily submitting to God invites grace. This grace marks us as friends of Jesus in our inner attitudes and our actions. Together, these are marks of our calling. In God’s economy, our minds and understanding are opened not by comprehension but by submission. It is about the heart, not the brain.
Obedience marks us as disciples of Christ. Understanding comes after obeying. This peculiarity is a hallmark of the kingdom of God. It is difficult to communicate, but Christ’s own example gives us a model. Jesus endured suffering for us. This is our pattern, and Peter invites us to consider it. Verses 22–25 sharpen the moral appeal of the ‘how’ to live a purpose-filled life. A beautiful integrity marked Jesus’ words, actions, and, most of all, the way he ‘entrusted himself’ entirely to God. Christ’s silence during his suffering was excruciating, but it was far from purposeless and wasted.
Apply
Is it hard to accept God’s expectations as expressed in the Scriptures? Invite him to persuade you to his way—in his time but with your willing cooperation.
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, lead me to repentance where I am not listening to God for my walk with him, and please give me what I need to change.
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