ÒChrist also Suffered for UsÓ

 

ÒFor even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.Ó (1 Peter 1:21)

 

      Here is our calling. — ÒFor even hereunto were ye calledAll true believers have been effectually and irresistibly called by the grace and power of God the Holy Spirit to Christ. We have been called to salvation, eternal life and faith in him.

 

      Here is our rule of life. — ÒChrist also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.Ó Rebels must be ruled by law. Mercenaries are ruled by rewards. Believers are ruled by Christ. We do not live by the rule of religious custom and tradition, the rule of our own consciences, or even the rule of Mosaic law. We follow Christ. We live by the rule of his Word, his example and his Spirit.

 

      Here is our Shepherd. — The primary thing to be seen in this verse is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ, our good Shepherd, is the suffering Shepherd. — ÒBecause Christ also suffered for us.Ó Apart from the sufferings of Christ for us, apart from him having fully suffered the wrath of God to the full satisfaction of divine justice, there could be no salvation for anyone. Be sure you understand this. The necessity for ChristÕs death was the holiness and justice of Almighty God (Romans 3:24-26).

 

Had Christ not died in our stead, we could never have been made alive. — ÒVerily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruitÓ (John 12:24). — Had Christ not suffered the curse of the law for us, we could never have been freed from that curse. — ÒChrist hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a treeÓ (Galatians 3:13). Had the Son of God not poured out his lifeÕs blood unto death upon the cursed tree, he could never have obtained eternal redemption for us. It was with Òhis own blood (that) he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for usÓ (Hebrews 9:12).

 

In a word, had not the good Shepherd suffered for us, he could never have saved us. — ÒChrist also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the SpiritÓ (1 Peter 3:18).

 

But, now, since he has suffered the wrath of God in our stead to the full satisfaction of infinite justice, all for whom he suffered and died must and shall be saved. Else his suffering and death are vain; and the blood of Christ is of non-effect!

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

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