Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
This is Peter writing to suffering Christians who were under intense persecution. He wants them to understand that, because you're in Christ and because you're a believer, you will suffer. Here's why. You will suffer because Jesus suffered. Suffering is a part of our Christian faith. But not only did Jesus suffer, but Jesus suffered well.
Following Jesus's Example
In fact, in verse 21 it says, "For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you." Then it says, "He is your example, and you must follow in His steps." Then verse 22 says, "He never sinned." In His suffering He didn't sin. This is a reminder for us that as we suffer, we can suffer well, because Jesus suffered well, and because we’re in Christ, we have the power to go through suffering in a victorious way.
Then we get to verse 24 and this is talking about why He suffered. It says this: "He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross." Why? "So that we can be dead to sin." Why did Jesus go to the cross? Is it just so you and I can get a ticket to heaven? That's part of it. But there's more to it. He says this: "So that we can be dead to sin."
Dead to Sin
Dead people don't respond, because they're dead. Peter wants us to understand, listen. You have a new identity. You are dead to sin. You don't have to respond to sin. It doesn't mean we won't be tempted, but we know this—sin is not our master anymore. Sin doesn't feel like home anymore because we're in Christ. What I love about this is when a person is dead, they understand they have a new identity, and they don't have to respond to the compulsions that come their way.
I know what you're thinking. You're probably like, well, I'm still suffering and struggling with this addiction, and I'm tired of doing the same thing over and over. I feel like I have no victory in this specific area. If you're watching and that's you today, I want to give you some practical steps to overcome sin.
Practical Steps to Overcome Sin
It starts with this. You have to admit that you have a sin. We're not going to defeat something that we don't define. My mentor told me that. He said, "You're not going to defeat something that you don't define." You have to admit that you have an issue. Don't live in denial. Say, Lord, I'm struggling with this specific sin. Lord, help me. That's where it begins. We take our sin to the Lord. We admit that we have a sin.
Then we get help. Sometimes that means reaching out to a counselor, a trusted friend, a pastor. Listen, there's no shame in reaching out for help. That's why the body of Christ exists. When we go to church, when we join a small group, we bring our sin into the light. Why? Because sin grows in the dark. But when I bring my issue into the light, the enemy no longer owns it. It's important that we reach out for help.
The third step is this: establish accountability. Here's what I mean by accountability. Accountability is not your buddy checking in on you once a year. That's not what accountability is. Accountability is a constant ask. I want to say that again, it is a constant ask where you have people checking in on you, consistently asking, hey, how are you doing in this area? How can I be praying for you? How can I cover you today specifically in prayer? That accountability is important because the less accountable we are, the more dangerous we are. We need people to hold us accountable.
The final way—and this is where the Gospel comes in—fill your life with the things of God. What do I mean by that? Fill your life with prayer, with the Word of God, go to church, meditate on the Word of God. As I do that, here's what's going to happen. If I'm battling an addiction, and I'm constantly filling my mind with the truth of God's Word, I'm in the presence of God, I'm worshiping, my addiction is going to be driven out. Why? Because a love for Jesus ultimately drives out the addiction in my life. There's not going to be space for that addiction to dwell. Why? Because I'm filling my mind with truth. I'm worshiping. I'm going to church. I have people that are encouraging me. The primary way that we defeat any addiction is by filling our lives with the things of God.
By His Wounds You Are Healed
Then He says this: "By His wounds you are healed." The healing there is spiritual healing. You and I are reconciled to God. Why? Because of the Gospel. Because Jesus personally carried our sins. That's why you and I, we're not just going to heaven, but we have power to overcome sin while we live this life on earth. That's the good news of the Gospel.
