Christians, if you are being mistreated, reviled, mocked, and persecuted…then let it be “for righteousness’ sake” (3:14).  Don’t let it be because you responded to evil with words and actions which God would also consider evil.  Don’t be afraid or “troubled” (tarasso, stirred up, agitated) by the ungodliness you see around you (3:14b) so that you respond by constantly complaining about it or agitating others by insulting and arguing hotly with them as one tends to do when one’s passions are stirred up (cf. Phil. 2:14-16).  Instead, choose to share the good news of salvation in Christ with others and prepare yourself to gently and respectfully explain why you have hope in Him when asked (3:15b).  That’s what Paul did when he got upset by the ungodliness around him (Acts 17:16-34).  This is how one truly honors Christ and treats Him in a holy manner (3:15a).… Read More 1 Peter: How God Wants Us To Respond To Persecution

Even though others might not do the same with us, we must still “keep (our) tongue from evil.”  Even though everyone else might lie and benefit from those lies, we must keep “(our) lips from speaking deceit.”  Even though we are surrounded by evil, we must “turn away from” it and “do good” instead.  Even though striking out contentiously to those who do the same with us might feel like it would help us and bring us peace, we must recognize that peace will never come that way.  Instead, we must “seek peace and pursue it,” even if no one else is doing so.… Read More 1 Peter: Unity, Sympathy, Love, Tenderness, Humility, and Blessings