" Those who love Christ are an open rebuke to the society in which they live. That was the apostle Peter’s point when he described Christians as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession . . . [who] proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called [them] out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). Our dark world will resent and be hostile toward anyone who represents the Lord Jesus Christ in that way. That resentment and hostility may be felt at certain times and places more than others, but it is always present to some extent. Fortunately, we have One to whom we can turn when we suffer—the very One who suffered for us: the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter wrote, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (v. 21). Peter’s model of how to respond to suffering was Jesus Christ, and we need to follow His example. "
― John F. MacArthur Jr. , Remember and Return: Rekindling Your Love for the Savior--A Devotional
![John F. MacArthur Jr. quote : Those who love Christ are an open rebuke to the society in which they live. That was the apostle Peter’s point when he described Christians as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession . . . [who] proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called [them] out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). Our dark world will resent and be hostile toward anyone who represents the Lord Jesus Christ in that way. That resentment and hostility may be felt at certain times and places more than others, but it is always present to some extent. Fortunately, we have One to whom we can turn when we suffer—the very One who suffered for us: the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter wrote, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (v. 21). Peter’s model of how to respond to suffering was Jesus Christ, and we need to follow His example.](/image/2136725.jpg)