Follow His Steps | 1 Peter 2:21

INTRODUCTION

As believers, we are called not just to admire or acknowledge Jesus from a distance but to follow Him closely and walk in His steps. In 1 Peter 2:21, the Apostle Peter writes, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” This call to follow Jesus is not about mimicking His actions or words superficially but about embracing the very essence of His character and mission.

Jesus’ life provides the perfect model for living in a fallen world—with holiness, love, humility, and unwavering faith in God. But how do we practically follow His steps? Peter gives us clear guidance in his epistle, outlining the key ways we can live like Jesus. These principles are not mere ideals or lofty goals but commands that should shape our daily lives and attitudes. In this article, we’ll explore how to follow the example Jesus set and the profound impact it has on our lives and the world around us.

1. Be Holy

1 Peter 1:15-17; 2:9; 2:10

The first step in following Jesus is to be holy. To be holy means to live a life set apart for God, reflecting His purity, righteousness, and love. It’s a call to live differently from the world, just as Jesus did.

What It Means to Be Holy:

• Separation from Sin: Holiness involves turning away from sinful patterns and living in obedience to God.
• Living God’s Will: Holiness means aligning our lives with God’s commands and purpose.
• Reflecting God’s Character: Our lives should mirror God’s love, mercy, and purity.
• Reverence for God: We live in awe of God, honoring Him in everything.

Why We Are Called to Be Holy:

• God’s Command: God is holy, and we are called to reflect His character (1 Peter 1:16).
• To Glorify God: Our holiness reflects God’s light to the world (1 Peter 2:9).
• To Follow Jesus: Jesus lived a life of holiness, and we are to follow His example.
• To Draw Near to God: Holiness allows for a deeper relationship with God.

How to Cultivate Holiness:

• Surrender Daily: Submit to God’s transforming work through the Holy Spirit.
• Immerse in God’s Word: Let Scripture shape our thoughts and actions.
• Depend on Prayer: Ask God for strength to live a holy life.
• Community: Be encouraged and held accountable by other believers.

Holiness is a lifelong journey of growth, surrender, and transformation. It’s about reflecting God’s character in everything we do.

2. Love

1 Peter 1:22; 2:12; 4:8; 3:13; 2:23

The second step is love—a central theme in following Jesus. His sacrificial, unconditional love is the model for how we should love others.

What It Means to Love:

• Love Deeply: Sincerely love others from the heart, with actions, not just words. “Love one another deeply, from the heart.” (1 Peter 1:22)
• Love that Forgives: True love overlooks offenses and seeks reconciliation. “Love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
• Love Even in Persecution: Love those who hurt you, just as Jesus did. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate.” (1 Peter 2:23)

Why Love Matters:

• Reflects Christ: Our love mirrors Jesus’ sacrificial love.
• Builds Unity: Love strengthens relationships and brings people together.
• Draws People to Christ: Genuine love attracts others to God.

How to Cultivate Love:

• Serve Others: Love through actions and kindness.
• Forgive: Let go of offenses and choose love.
• Pray: Ask God to give you His love for others.

To follow Jesus means loving others with the same sacrificial, forgiving love that He showed to us.

3. Submission

1 Peter 2:13-17; 3:1-2; 3:7; 5:5

The third step is submission—yielding to authority and God’s will, following Jesus’ example of humility and obedience.

What It Means to Submit:

• Submit to Authorities: Respect and obey government and leaders as an act of honoring God. “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority.” (1 Peter 2:13)
• Submission in Marriage: Wives are called to submit to their husbands in love, while husbands are called to love sacrificially. “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands.” (1 Peter 3:1)
• Mutual Submission: All believers are to submit to one another in humility and love. “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another.” (1 Peter 5:5)
• Submit to God’s Will: Ultimately, submission means yielding to God’s authority and trusting His plan. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand.” (1 Peter 5:6)

Why Submission Matters:

• Reflects Christ’s Humility: Jesus submitted to God’s will, even in suffering.
• Brings Order and Peace: Submission creates harmony in relationships and society.
• Honors God: It shows trust in God’s sovereignty and design.

How to Cultivate Submission:

• Practice Humility: Recognize that God’s way is higher than ours.
• Obey God’s Word: Follow God’s commands and submit to His authority.
• Serve Others: Put others’ needs above your own, as an act of love and submission.

Submission is not about weakness but about strength in humility and trust in God’s authority.

4. Witness

1 Peter 2:9; 3:15

The fourth step is witnessing—sharing the gospel through our lives and words, pointing others to Jesus. Jesus was the ultimate example of living out and proclaiming God’s truth, and we are called to do the same.

What It Means to Be a Witness:

• Living as a Testimony: Our lives should reflect Christ’s love, peace, and joy, showing the world the transformative power of the gospel. “You are a chosen people… that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
• Being Prepared to Share the Gospel: Be ready to explain the hope you have in Christ, with gentleness and respect. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
• Proclaiming God’s Glory: Our witness is a declaration of God’s greatness and salvation. “Declare the praises of him who called you into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Why Witnessing Is Important:

• Obedience to Christ’s Command: We are called to make disciples and share the gospel (Matthew 28:19).
• God’s Glory: Our witness honors God and makes His greatness known.
• Life Transformation: The gospel changes lives, and our witness gives others the opportunity to encounter Christ.

How to Be a Witness:

• Live Authentically: Reflect Christ through your actions.
• Be Prepared: Understand the gospel and be ready to share it.
• Pray for Opportunities: Ask God to open doors for sharing your faith.
• Speak with Love and Respect: Share the gospel with gentleness and respect.

Witnessing is not just about words but living a life that speaks of God’s goodness and grace.

CONCLUSION

Following in the steps of Jesus is a call to live with purpose and intention. Jesus not only taught us how to live but showed us through His example. We are called to be holy, reflecting God’s character in all we do; to love, with the same sacrificial and unconditional love that Jesus showed us; to submit, with humility and trust in God’s will and authority; and to witness, sharing the hope of the gospel through our words and actions.

As we follow His steps, we experience the transforming power of His presence in our lives. Through these practices, we grow closer to God, build stronger relationships with others, and fulfill our calling as His disciples. And as we embrace these steps, we also experience the benefits of God’s care, upliftment, and restoration—promises that He gives to those who humbly follow Him.

Let us commit to walking in His steps daily, trusting that He will guide us and empower us to live out His love, holiness, and truth in a world that desperately needs it. By walking in His footsteps, we not only transform ourselves but also become instruments of change in the world around us.