By His Stripes You Are Healed

1 PETER 2:18-25
“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 one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
”‭‭I Peter‬ ‭2:18-25‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://www.bible.com/114/1pe.2.18-25.nkj

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Many believers in those days were household slaves. It would of been easy to submit to masters who treated them kindly, but Peter encouraged loyalty and perseverance even in the face of unjust treatment.
In the same way, we should submit to our employers whether they are kind and considerate or harsh, working as if working for the Lord, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
By doing so, others may be won over to Christ by our good example.
Paul gave similar advice in his letters, (see EPHESIANS 6:5-9, COLOSSIANS 3:22-25), as did Jesus (MATHEW 5:46, LUKE 6:32-36).
We may suffer for many reasons, sometimes as a result of our own sin and foolishness and their is no credit in that. But Peter is writing about suffering that comes as a result of living for Christ which is commendable before God.
Jesus never sinned, and yet he willingly suffered so that we could be set free. His suffering was a part of God's plan to save us (MATHEW 16:21-23; LUKE 24:25-27, 44-47; MATHEW 20:28, 26:28).
All who follow Jesus must be prepared to suffer (MARK 8:34-35), for suffering takes us through the fire and removes the impurities. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Furthermore, we should face suffering as Christ did-with patience, calmness, and confidence, knowing that God is in control and won't let us down.
Christ died for our sin; He took our place on a cross so we wouldn't have to suffer the ultimate punishment we deserve-eternal death.
My brethren, since He willingly suffered to give us the opportunity of life, is it not right that we as God's very own chosen people, live for Christ, even if that means suffering?
Paul said, "For me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better." (PHILIPPIANS 1:21).
We believers all have purpose, to worship our living God, to love one another other, to share the Good News, to support one another, working together in unity, having one mind and purpose (PHILIPPIANS 2:2).
We believers are the body of Christ of which He is the head(Colossians 1:18).
But to achieve God’s purpose in life, our very nature needs be transformed through love from selfish to selfless.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Maybe you are suffering right now. I encourage you, wether your struggles are because of sin or foolishness, or as a result of living for Christ, God loves you, and he knows about your suffering and is willing and ready to help.
We are all sinners in need of a Saviour and must come to Christ in repentance.
If you commit to God, He will commit to you.
Therefore, “Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.””
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭38‬-‭39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My beloved, no matter how impossible you’re situation, it is possible with God (LUKE 18:27; MATHEW 19:26), He already went before you to prepare the way, and is with you through it all (DEUTERONOMY 31:8).
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
The victory is already yours through Christ who is your strength (1 CORINTHIANS 15:57), and by His stripes you are healed (1 PETER 2:24; ISAIAH 53:5).
Through Christ you can have authority over all sickness, death, and even the demons (Mathew 10:8; LUKE 10:17).
Do you believe?
“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Enoch, like everyone else was a sinner, to suggest not is calling God a liar (1 JOHN 1:10).
Yet, because of his faith he did not see death because he remained pleasing to God.
Today nothing has changed; it is only by faith that anyone can be pleasing to God. It is only by faith that one can be saved from the curse of death (Romans 10:9-13).
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My brethren, faith does not make life easy; but it makes all things possible and brings the eternal blessing of life everlasting.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.