1 Peter—Serving the World as Resident Alien Priests

            Writing to a group of Christians who are being slandered, falsely accused, and perhaps even physically abused because of their allegiance to Jesus (1 Peter 2:12, 18-20; 3:13-17; 4:4, 14, 19), Peter explains how Christians are called to transform their suffering into service to the world. Christ has called us to follow him in a world that does not recognize him. We are resident aliens in this strange land, which is not yet our true home. Therefore, we are bound to experience “various trials” (1 Peter 1:6). Yet we are not victims of the world, but servants to the world — “a holy priesthood” as Peter puts it (1 Peter 2:5) — bringing God’s blessings to the world. The job of the Christian, then, is to live in this alien land, blessing it until Christ returns and restores the territory to his kingdom.