Peter continues his theme of suffering for being a Christian, now addressing the problem of peer pressure. In 1 Peter 4, he connects the suffering that Jesus purposefully experienced on the cross and says that we should arm ourselves with the same resolve.

He writes (in the NIV):

For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead…

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Yes, we might get stick for the following God’s way of living, Peter is suggesting, but whose opinion counts? The view of non-Christians or the view of God?

Sometimes, these views might align: The Biblical Theology Study Bible points us towards 1 Peter 2:12, which says that pagans might see your good deeds and ultimately glorify God.

But that study bible flags that “the more society is implicitly hostile to the gospel, the more distinct and countercultural Christian lifestyle decisions become”. It continues:

Previous to their commitment to Christ, Peter’s readers had spent their time living as their pagan society expected. Out of faithfulness to Christ, they now have ceased doing such things and consequently are suffering insults, misunderstanding, and various forms of ostracism … A Christian’s refusal to live as they formerly had implicitly indicts those who continue in those practices.

Which brings me to an article, published in 2013, by a Cambridge student. She writes about going to a Christian Union meeting on relationships. In a discussion, a female student next to her said: “A girl’s virginity is like a chocolate bar. Once someone’s taken a bite, it can never be whole again.” The writer continues:

It felt like I was the only one in there [having sex]. I was a fraud, pretending to believe in this celibate bullshit before going home to f*** my boyfriend. In reality, I’m sure that there were lots of people there who, like me, don’t think we’ll be sent to hell for participating in consensual sex – but no one admits it.

I began to realise that I didn’t qualify as a Christian in the [Christian Union] sense of the word at all – I have sex, and sometimes shout out ‘Oh my God’ or ‘Jesus’ while doing it; I drink (often in excess); and I purposefully try to avoid making my theism a big part of my life.

OK, so the piece may not have been written entirely seriously. But let’s take it at face value for a moment.

The writer says she does not believe she will be sent to hell for something she does not think is serious. Of course, God’s offer of salvation to us is through grace, despite our sin. Hence, in 1 Peter 4, the apostle is urging readers to put pagan behaviour behind them.

The biggest oddity in the student’s article is, to my mind, the statement: “I purposefully try to avoid making my theism a big part of my life”.

But that is not the Christianity discussed by Paul, and it is not the Christianity offered by Jesus.

In fact, the son of God said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me”.

And Peter has more to say on how to follow Jesus. He does not just give a list of things he wants his readers to avoid. In fact, he goes on to list some new behaviours rooted in genuine love for others, built on prayer.

The chapter ends with Peter addressing how we should react to suffering as a result of being a Christian. He says “if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name”.

The fact is that Christianity is profoundly countercultural – running at odds to the normal practices of people in the 1st century Roman Empire and running counter to many things people want to do today.

As Paul says: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”