Imitators of Christ

(Our theme for October)

1 Peter 2: 21-23

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.

He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered.

He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

The writer of this New Testament epistle means for us to do good even if it means suffering. Do we really suffer when we try to do good?

Sometimes we do. All of us want to do good. None of us wants to suffer. When there is a choice between not doing the right thing, the good thing, and avoiding suffering, which should we chose? The writer makes it pretty clear.

Doing the right thing may mean giving up the things we treasure. It may cost us our time or our money. It may mean separating ourselves from things or people we enjoy. We may mean causing ourselves pain. In short, it may mean suffering.

We are reminded by the writer of Peter’s epistle that Christ suffered, too. He suffered even though he was divine and all-powerful. And the writer tells us how Christ reacted to his suffering.

He never sinned against anyone. He never deceived anyone. He never retaliated or threatened revenge against those who wronged him. He knew that God would take proper care of those who had caused his suffering.

Can we then be imitators of Christ? Can we accept the wrongs that people do to us without retaliating? Can we chose to suffer in order to do what is right?

That is our daily challenge – to act as Christ would act no matter what our suffering.

Let us pray:

Dear Lord, by your example, you have shown us how to act. Give us the strength and the will to imitate you today and each day in our lives. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Jim Stovall.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.