(a)'Highlight Peter's guidelines on Christian living among non-Christians. [9 marks]
(b) What three challenges can Christians face among non-Christians? [6 marks]
Explanation
(a) 1 Peter 2:9 - 25
(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 honorably 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 the foolish
(v) They should live as free people without using their freedom as a guise to commit sin or do evil.
(vi) Christians should honor everyone around them as well as the leaders.
(vii) They should love the family of believers with the fear of God.
(viii) Christian servants or slaves owe their masters respect and obedience, not minding the masters' characters whether gentle or harsh.
(ix) God expects Christian to persevere under unjust suffering, knowing that God understands.
(x) They should be encouraged to bear whatever maltreatment because Christ has also suffered for them.
(xi) God, therefore, intends that Christians follow the example of Christ who did not sin, yet he was insulted.
(xii) Christ did not retaliate for any wrong done to him by anybody but entrusted Himself totally to God in His suffering.
(xiii) God expects Christians to trust in Him when they suffer unjustly
(xiv) 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) Christians often face challenges, victimization and intimidation from non- Christian neighbors.
(ii) Some societal values and accepted moral standards pose a threat to holy living.
(iii) The Christian's resolve not to conform to sin and a worldly standard often leads him to alienation and denial.
(iv) The height and frequency of insult and injustices meted to Christians often make it difficult to withstand the urge to retaliate.
(v) Intolerance from non-Christians/Disturbance as regards worship and evangelism/Unhealthy rivalry.