(a) What was Peter's advice to Christian living among non-Christians? (b) What three challenges can...
(a) What was Peter's advice to Christian living among non-Christians?
(b) What three challenges can Christians face among non-Christians?
Explanation
A) PETER'S ADVICE TO CHR1STIANS LIVING AMONG NON CHRISTIANS (1 PETER 2:9-2)
i. As God's own people, Christians should abstain from, the desires of the flesh, which fight against the soul.
ii. They should conduct themselves honourably among non-Christians to the glory of God.
iii. They should accept the authority of civil rulers either as Presidents or Governors.
iv. It is by doing right that Christians silence the ignorance of foolish.
v. They should live as free people without using their freedom as a guide to commit sin or do evil.
vi. Christians should honour everyone around them.
vii. They should love the family of believers fear God/and honour the king.
ix. Servants/ slaves owe their masters respect and obedience not minding the masters' characters - whether gentle or harsh.
x. God expects Christians to persevere under unjust suffering.
xi. They should be encouraged to bear whatever maltreatment, because Chris has also suffered for them.
xii. God, therefore, intends that Christians follow the example of Christ who did pot sin, yet he was insulted
xiii. Christ did not retaliate for any wrong done to him by anybody nut entrusted Himself totally to God in us suffering.
xiv. God expects Christians to trust in Him when they suffer unjustly.
xv. According to James Christ bore our sins on the cross, so we ought to die to sin and live righteously among non-Christians.
B) THREE CHALLENGES CHRISTIANS CAN FACE
i. Satanic practices. e.g. occultism.
ii. Tribalism/ Nepotism/ Discrimination. E.g. gender bias, regional conflicts etc.
iii. Bad Leadership! Corruption! Mismanagement. E.g. Inflating contracts, overpayment of contracts, etc.
iv. Sexual immorality e.g. Prostitution, Homosexuality, sexual favours/sexual harassment.
v. Intolerance from non - Christians/Disturbance as regards worship and evangelism/ unhealthy rivalry.
vi. Backsliding / compromising the faith/syncretism, etc.
vii. Secular laws in conflict with religious norms, e.g. widowhood rites, secret society/festivals (Oro, Egungun) etc.
viii. Intermarriage with non-believers e.g. Christian/moslem/Traditionalists.
ix. Indiscipline among the youth. e.g. area boys, land-guards etc.