“in the holy Christian church”
By now you know the “church” isn’t a building you visit on Sunday. “The church” is the people who gather in the building. The church is us, the family of God, those who believe in Jesus and who gather to worship him.
In the Apostles’ Creed and in the Bible we’re called a “holy” people. That word holy can create some serious confusion. You see, holy doesn’t mean that we’re a perfect people. Just look around you on Sunday—or look in the mirror any day—and you know Christians are far from perfect. But holy doesn’t mean “perfect.” Holy means “to be set apart, to be different.”
Peter tells us how we’re to be different. We’re not to conform to evil desires (1 Peter 1:14). We’re to have a deep, sincere love for our Christian brothers and sisters (1 Peter 1:22). We’re to rid ourselves of malice and deceit, of hypocrisy, envy and slander (1 Peter 2:1). And we’re to “grow up” in our salvation (1 Peter 2:2).
That call to grow up, to mature, reminds us that God’s church isn’t perfect—that Jesus’ church is made up of people who may be spiritual infants or children, as well as people who are closer to God’s ideal. In fact, we can think of the church as people who are committed to love each other and to help each other mature and so become more holy. So don’t be shocked if a Christian friend says something to hurt you, or does something that shows he or she is far from perfect. Like you, that friend has some growing to do. Concentrate on being different, being “holy,” and respond with a sincere and deep love that will help your friend—and you—mature.
How are you different from those who aren’t Christians? OK, so you don’t have a third eye or six toes on each foot. And no one expects you to dress like your great-grandpa. Hey, it’s all right to look and act like a teen. Still, Peter expects you to be different: “Now you are the people of God” (1 Peter 2:10). You belong to God. Being “different” as a Christian means making sure that everything you do reflects in a positive manner on God. Be a teen. And be a kind, thoughtful and honest person. Be a teen. And act toward your friends, both the guys and the girls, with integrity.
When someone at school says or does something wrong to me, I think about what I can do to get them back. My mom says it’s not right to try to get back at someone. Why is revenge a bad thing?
Dominic
Dear Dominic,
First Peter 3:8–12 is full of advice for living a godly life in spite of what others have done to you: “Be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another . . . Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult . . . turn from evil and do good . . . seek peace and pursue it.”
In Romans 12:19–21 we’re told not to take revenge because “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. The passage goes on to say if you show kindness to someone who has been unkind to you, “you will heap burning coals on his head.” That’s Christian revenge. It’s kind of a “kill them with kindness” and they’ll squirm knowing they don’t deserve it. And you won’t have to feel bad later because you returned kindness for evil.
Jordan
You “borrow” your mom’s bracelet, lose it and when she asks if you’ve seen it, you say, “Bracelet? What bracelet?” Then your best friend walks in waving the bracelet and says, “Hey, Hillary, you left this in my locker.” Oh, well. At least you suffer through your punishment without complaining. But don’t expect to be praised for it. On the other hand, if you suffer because of your Christian commitment and accept it cheerfully, that merits praise. There’s no reason to be ashamed if some teacher puts you down for what you believe or if some of the other teens call you a goody-goody. Don’t be ashamed, be proud. You’re being a follower of Jesus.
Worrying isn’t much fun. Test coming up? You get cramps and a cold sweat. Mom goes to visit Grandpa? You lie awake wondering if her plane crashed or if a hurricane will strike where she’s visiting. Peter has a suggestion for worriers: Let God worry about it for you. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Study for your test. But after that, let God do the worrying. Hug Mom and wave good-bye. Say a prayer, and let God take over. If you are peaceful, you’ll do better on your test. And you’ll sleep better at night too.
1 Peter
It’s Not Fair!
You do what’s right and still things turn out rotten. Peter wrote this letter to Christians who were being treated unfairly. He showed them how to triumph when life is unfair.