Healed by His wounds

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. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:23-25 NLT

Knowing and living by God’s will involve doing what is right in His sight. But when you do what is right, you will suffer persecution. Though your good actions will be met with resistance, you are commanded to still do what is right. “Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” (1 Peter 3:17). You are living out the life of obedience when you are doing what God has called you to do and God commends such actions. You will find favor in the eyes of God. “‘Even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord’” (1 Peter 3:14-15 NIV). From the text, Peter is recalling his experience seeing the life of our Lord Jesus Christ while He was here on earth. The Lord Jesus Christ had set an example for us to follow. The sufferings of Christ at the cross and His eventual death provided us the means to live with a purpose. We have appropriated the new life that God gave us and now we desire to be detached from the life of sin. We have surrendered all that will entangle us doing what is right and “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right” (1 Peter 2:24). Jesus died at the cross so He can be our Savior. He carried to Himself the curse of the law. “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree” (Galatians 3:13). Christ was wounded so we might be healed. He died so we could live. Our Shepherd, the Guardian of our souls will be always watching us so that when we suffer for doing what is right, we will experience His peace that provides wholeness for our soul. The Shepherd watches over His sheep to guide and help them grow in spiritual maturity. “Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Blessings,