“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:21-23)
Life in these days is getting increasingly difficult and dangerous for the Christian believer. The forces of darkness have increased their attacks and widened their influence through the Internet. The Internet not only provides instant communication with almost anyone on the planet but it also grants a platform for every individual to advocate for their personal beliefs and ideologies, including those which are not only antiChristian but downright hostile towards believers. Persecution is on the rise. Evil is flourishing unchecked in many parts of the world, even in many American cities.
The Apostle Peter reminds us that this is to be expected. If people hated Jesus, they will hate us who belong to Him. Thus, Saint Peter provides an exhortation to us believers to persevere in our trials because the nature of the gospel makes persecution inevitable.The gospel exposes sin and condemns the life lived according to the desires of the flesh. The gospel maintains that eternal life and peace with God is granted by faith in the finished work of Jesus. These truths are offensive to nonbelievers who do not want a God who calls them to be accountable for their actions, but one that they can fashion to meet their own thoughts and expectation, one who will let them live according to their own desires, one that they can control. These people all espouse personal autonomy and personal choice as the highest ideals and answer to and depend on no one but themselves.
Those who hate Christ also hate His followers. The people in the world may think they have the upper hand and may mistreat and persecute us, but we are the fortunate ones: we have been blessed by God’s mercy and forgiveness. We have already entered the Kingdom of God. Therefore, Peter encourages his listeners to always act as Jesus did in the midst of his sufferings. He loved those who hated Him and prayed on the cross for the forgiveness of those who put Him there. He endured the punishment and pain for our sins and the sins of the whole world, a punishment which none of us can or ever has to experience, for we do not suffer alone. He is with us. And as we tell others about His great love, we will be persecuted but He will enable us to persevere.