Writing to Christians facing trials and possible persecution, Peter begins his letter not with their problems but with the solution. Individually, as believers, they inherit a triune salvation where God chooses, Christ cleanses, and the Spirit consecrates. Corporately, brought from darkness to light, Christ as cornerstone both establishes and shapes them. Practically, amid adversity within society, in work, and at home, Christ's death as atonement saves them; and his example motivates them. He is also their overseer and shepherd. Generally and potentially, suffering for righteousness's sake means following Christ's example of nonretaliation, setting him apart in their hearts as Lord and living for him at all times like this. Even in their fellowships, leaders and led must be diligent and humble like Christ, the chief shepherd. The Christian life is really all about Christ.

This recalls Peter's word to Jesus at Caesarea Philippi: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16). That is what First Peter is essentially about. Living for Christ in a suffering world involves believing in Christ's atoning death and following Christ's example, whatever the circumstances. That done, all is done.