I think that the first thing that I should say is, “Thank you!”.  Thank you for all the prayer, check-in’s, and meals while my family was suffering through COVID a few weeks back.  We’re pretty much back to our pre-COVID health.  Thank you so much for your support and care!

As we continue to work our way through 1 Peter, I would encourage you to go back through the first 3 chapters to understand the flow of Peter’s encouragement to the church in Asia Minor facing very real difficulties and persecution.  1 Peter 1-4 hold together as a complete thought with Peter then exhorting the elders in chapter 5 in light of chapters 1-4.  And so, this week, as we come to the second section in chapter 3, verses 8-22, we’re finishing up Peter’s section on how the Gospel of changes the way that we approach unbelievers at work (2:13-25), at home (3:1-7), and in the wider culture (3:8-22).

In the cultural climate that we live in today, it’s easy for us to feel uncomfortable amid the political tension around us.  Particularly in Loudoun County, politics seem to always be at the forefront of everyone’s mind.  We can almost reflexively group people into political camps and assume that they hold so-and-so position because of comments, posts, socio-economic status, and/or which part of Loudoun they live in.  We often seek to reduce the tension in our lives by distancing ourselves from sources of tension.  This can mean contracting friend groups, blocking Facebook friends, or simply changing subjects quickly as hot topics come up.  But we look to see what 1 Peter 3:8-22 has to say to us today, I think that our response to that tension is going to be reframed by our passage this Sunday.  I think that standing in the midst of tension and seeking to be righteous and to do good in the middle of uncomfortable situations is what we are called to.  We are called to in fact be like our savior, who did exactly that for us.  And so, as you prepare your hearts to hear the Word preached on Sunday, I would encourage you to mediate on what it means for us to bear with sinners, to show grace and mercy, and to be zealous for doing good to those who revile us.  That would be the Christ-like way to deal with the tension in which we all live.  See you Sunday!