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1 Peter 2:21
21 For [gar] even [eis] hereunto [touto] were ye called [kaleo]: because [hoti] Christ [Christos] also [kai] suffered [pascho] for [huper] us [hemon], leaving [hupolimpano] us [hemin] an example [hupogrammos], that [hina] ye should follow [epakoloutheo] his [autos] steps [ichnos]: KJV-Interlinear
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, NASB
The word for example, ‘hupogrammos,’ means to copy exactly, as a teacher writes letters and has the children pupils write the letters exactly as the teacher writes them. Or, as a painter draws an outline of a painting that he has already painted, and has the pupil fill in the colors exactly as he has painted.
The word for steps, ‘ichnos,’ means to follow in the same exact steps or pattern of the one who is ahead of you. When a person travels down a difficult path, then those who follow, have no choice but to follow in the same exact footprints, in order to continue along the same path.
So, what does it all mean? Do we all fly to Israel, get arrested and then volunteer to be hung on the cross? No.
Does it mean that we all live purposefully difficult lives, pound ourselves on the back, and expect great things to come to us because we have been able to live extraordinary lives? No.
Does it mean that we do not try to advance in this life, that we do not make ourselves better in this life, that we just sit back and do nothing in effect, and just let life cruise by us until we can eventually get to heaven? No.
What have we been studying in this and the previous chapter?
We have been studying the spiritual life, the spiritual life that exists only while you are in fellowship. The spiritual life, that says that you put away your sins (your old life), and live your life in fellowship, under the control of the Holy Spirit.
We have been studying the mandates of God, whereby we live in accordance with divine principles of establishment. Namely, that we be obedient to God first, and in so doing, that we be obedient to the laws of divine establishment, such that we can advance in our spiritual life with the least amount of difficulty, to spiritual maturity. All of this in order that we can advance to the completion of our soul, which completion that God intends for each one of us.
That is the pattern, the copy assignment, the footsteps, which Christ left before us, and of which we are to follow.
Living the spiritual life is Gods intent. Suffering intentionally, so that we can boast of our sacrifice, is not His intent and in fact is a sin of arrogance.
It is impossible for man to suffer as Christ did, therefore don’t even bother trying, or even trying to impress others by your pretended spirituality. Following Christ means following in doctrine, and therefore the function of your spiritual life.
