I’ve been preaching through 1 Peter at church this term. One of the challenges has been the huge emphasis on suffering for the sake of the Gospel. How do you apply this in a situation where we face very little suffering for our faith?
I think Peter gives two useful principles for Christians interacting with wider culture – regardless of how hostile that culture is.
1. Do everything you can to live in a way that commends the gospel to your culture.
1Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
2. Do good, even if that is ridiculed by your culture.
1Peter 3:17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
