Bible Text: 1 Peter 3:13-17 | Preacher: Pastor Joe Ricchuiti | Series: 1 Peter, Fear and Hope

Despite being zealous to do good and live peacefully (as the previous section of 1 Peter called for), Christians will still encounter unjust treatment, especially in a culture that rejects Christian values.

Though suffering may come God holds us safely in His hands.

Christians are to be characterized by hope, not fear, despite the prospect of unjust treatment.

Giving way to fear can lead Christians to: make wrong decisions; to trust in the wrong things or people, to do unwise or ungodly things, or to do ineffective things.

Proper fear in the Christians’ life is to fear God not men. “In the Old Testament the fear of God is more than awe or reverence though it included both. Fearing God is becoming so acutely aware of His moral purity and omnipotence that one is genuinely afraid to disobey Him. Fearing God also included, responding to Him in worship, service, trust, obedience, and commitment.” (Author unknown)

Christians should trust God and give Him the rightful place at the center of our lives.

Rather than fearing what unbelievers can do to them, Christians are to fear turning from God’s way, from disappointing or disobeying Him.