You Can't Do It On Your Own

Daily Devotional - January 8

"...because Christ also suffered for us,
leaving us an example, that you should
follow his steps: who committed no sin,
nor was deceit found in his mouth,
who, 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 2:21-23

A pretty tall order. Who can be reviled without reviling in return? Who can suffer unfairly without hurling back angry words and threats? We crucify the flesh because to this he has called us. But how?

God does not expect the humanly impossible from us. Who could meet the demand if he did?

Though it is "human nature" to revile back when we are reviled, yet we are called to a higher place than that, so that by his grace we will NOT revile in return, nor respond to suffering with threats, not descend into bitterness, because we are committed to God who judges righteously and who values highly our efforts to walk according to Christ's example. But this does not come automatically. We must daily ask for the grace of God because:

"...it is God who works in you
BOTH TO WILL and TO DO for his good pleasure."
Philippians 2:13

Don't try to do it on your own, you'll certainly fail because it's not humanly possible. ASK for grace. He is happy to give it to those who ask. And that's where the answer lies.

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need."
Hebrews 4:16