Following Jesus in a Dark World

The first century disciples were often persecuted in varying degrees throughout the Roman Empire. The apostle, Peter, writes this first letter to those who are experiencing severe trials. He even calls them the “fiery ordeal,” a phrase that could denote the martyrdom of some by burning. Although we in our times have not yet suffered intense persecution, we still live in a very dark world, one that here in America is quickly trending toward a secular, anti-God culture. How, and in what spirit, do we then fulfill the mission for us to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light?”