Title
The Principal Example
Scripture
Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example... committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth", ...when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.
(1 Peter 3:21-23)
Devotional
Think about the phrase, "Christ suffered... leaving us an example." When we do, we have to conclude that suffering is His principal example. In this, I cannot get away from the words of Jesus when He said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."[37] Part of that suffering and tribulation is overcoming our sin nature: sin, deceit, reviling, threatening and judging. The only way that we can overcome these is by the power of God attained through Christ. Our natural tendency, when we suffer, is deny it, curse it, and seek vengeance and blame. These are not the examples for which Christ suffered. Therefore when these tendencies come, and they will come, refuse to submit to your emotions and put your faith and trust in Christ. Commit yourself to Him who judges righteously.