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For it is to your credit if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, where is the credit in that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. ‘He committed no sin,and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. (1 Peter 2:19-25)
There is no better example of how we should live, than Jesus. The writer of this passage knew from his experiences with Jesus all that Jesus suffered unjustly; and he says, "Hang in there when things don't go your way even if you have tried your best and done all you could, for Jesus suffered worst things." The hymn asks that precious question, "Are you able, said the Master, to be crucified with me; 'Yea,' the sturdy dreamers answered, 'To the death we follow Thee." And the chorus: "Lord, we are able, Our spirits are thine. Remold them, make us, Like Thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance Above us shall be A beacon to God, to love and loyalty." It's a beautiful hymn with some demanding questions asked, but those with faith sing the chorus with boldness and hope, that we can live a life like Jesus and we will follow Jesus wherever He may lead us, trusting all the way that He will be at work in us, "remolding" us to be just like Him, holy and pure. The writer of 1 Peter knew life's journey being one of ups and downs, of blessings and challenges, and more importantly, he knew Jesus. So, through that faith, as he wrote, he was able to be free from sins, he lived for righteousness, and by Jesus' wounds was healed. Even those who wandered off like stray sheep found their way back to Jesus, whom we know to be our Shepherd and guardian of our souls.
There is no road so beautiful or tempting that can lead us, who know Jesus as Lord and Savior, far from His presence and protection. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven, or length of time away that one cannot be restored into the fullness of the fellowship Christ desires with us. If you think you fit into one of those categories, come home right now. In the arms of the Shepherd and under the protection of the Guardian of our souls, there is no better place to be!
PRAYER: Loving God, for Your constant love, we yearn. For the embrace of Your arms around us, we seek to be made right with You. Help us to be obedient sheep under Your care, for You are the Good Shepherd and the Guardian of our souls. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Don't wander off!
Eradio Valverde
