"Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled" (1 Peter 3:13-14).
Peter was a realist. He understood that Christians could be perceived as a source of tension as well as a source of blessing in the world. Even when Christians are obedient to Christ and blessing their neighbors there are those who will be threatened by this behavior because it is counter cultural and upsets power structures. Some authorities will have a vested interest in the way things are. The Christian lives by a different standard: obedience to Christ. A militant atheist like Richard Dawkins sees Jesus as a threat to the authority of science (though I do not). The racist is threatened by Jesus because God desires to bring good news to every tribe and nation. So the view of the Christian is to fear the authority of God and to obey Christ. If we encounter blessing or we suffer for the sake of righteousness, God is honored in each circumstance. We are to live in a way that honors God, there we find life.
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