When Righteousness Hurts - 1 Peter

This Sunday, I’ll be preaching from the second half of 1 Peter chapter 2, a passage that radically reshapes how Christians are called to live in the world, and especially in the face of unjust treatment. Peter writes to believers who were being slandered and mistreated simply for following Jesus, and rather than encouraging them to retaliate or withdraw, he calls them to live honorably so that their good conduct might lead others to glorify God. The challenge in this text is to live righteously, not just when life is fair, but especially when it’s not, because when we respond to hostility with Christlike character, we bear silent but powerful witness to the gospel.

We’ll explore how our faith transforms two major areas of everyday life: our relationship with government and our relationship with employers. In each case, Peter urges us to respond with humility and respect, not because the person in authority is always right, but because honoring the structure of authority reflects our trust in God. This is especially powerful when authority is abused or when the system is unjust. Peter isn’t excusing mistreatment, but he is saying that when we endure it with patience and faith, like Jesus did, we participate in something deeply Christlike. Jesus didn’t retaliate when reviled; He entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly, and we are called to follow in His steps.

This message is essential in today’s cultural climate, where outrage and vengeance are normalized. But Scripture calls us to something higher. Whether you’re frustrated with the decisions of politicians, facing injustice at work, or struggling in silence, your response has eternal significance. You might not be able to change your circumstances, but you can choose to honor Christ through them. And when you do, you reflect Jesus to a watching world, and you never suffer unseen. Your endurance matters to God, and sometimes, it becomes the very means by which someone finds Him.


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