"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5
We considered the essential need for readiness in order to be able to defend our faith in Part 1 of this devotion series. That readiness is built upon our honoring God and fearing Him, instead of man, and the fruit of that being evident in how we talk and walk. The Apostle Peter helpfully teaches and guides us in having knowledge that bears such fruit in 1 Peter 3:15-16. Remember that as Peter spoke of readiness in that passage, he did so pointing out why the defense, or why the ready answer is necessary. We need to ready to respond when others ask and desire to know the reason for the hope that is within us.
Therefore, what did Peter assume in that? His assumption was that Christians, though persecuted and often weighed down with various struggles and trials, would be living with the hope of the Gospel. His assumption was that the brothers and sisters he wrote to were living with hope in such a way that it showed. They were a hopeful people in Christ.
Peter lays this hope out beautifully from the beginning of this epistle. Notice Peter's doxological praise to God the Father in verse 3 above. Peter emphasizes that God’s extension of mercy to His people is a matter for great praise. He is to receive all blessing, honor, and praise for the living hope that He has begotten us again to out of His abundant mercy! We bless, honor, and praise Him as He did this for us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So great was their sin against the holy God, so great is ours as well. Yet, how much greater is His mercy! We deserve death, but God hasn’t given us what we deserve. Our salvation, our being born again, is completely based on God’s loving initiative! God’s mercy shows us the fountain from where regeneration and all spiritual blessings flow.
Because of Jesus and His work, this is a grand, divinely granted hope. It's a hope that brings with it confidence in the promise of a great inheritance. This is a living hope that blows dead, worldly minds. What does Peter mean that our hope in Christ is a "living" hope? By way of contrast, it isn't the vain, dead, and perishing hope that those of the world have. It's a lively, strong, and quickening hope that is grounded in the strong foundation of Christ's resurrection. Therefore, as God's people walk with such hope, by God's grace those without it around us ask how and why we do so.
Beloved, this hope is central to what it means to live as a Christian. Hope in hardship, and the same hope in ease. Living hope in hardship has an important message for your troubled heart today. Your condition is never so bad but that you still have great reason to bless your Lord. Your difficulties are never so many, or so strong that would diminish one bit your need and cause to rejoice in Christ and His promises. Hope in ease has an important message as well. It should never be forgotten, but should be rejoiced in, and God be praised, just as much when you're in a calm and peaceful place.
May these truths, may this lively hope strengthen and encourage you and your family with patience and perseverance this day. May it give zeal and a joyful spring in your step as you fellowship with and build up one another within the flock, as well as support you to give ready answers to those without who the Lord brings across your path.
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad." Matthew 12:30No one can be neutral towards Jesus. Knowing their thoughts, after Jesus told the Pharisees that a kingdom divided against itself will fall,...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." Psalm 23:1-2As the Good Shepherd gives His precious flock the good gift of rest, we know and have confidence in the safety...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters." Psalm 23:1-2In His goodness and grace, the Good Shepherd gives His sheep many good gifts- things we would never have if...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
This past Lord's Day morning, we considered the death, resurrection, ascension, and session of Jesus Christ in the words that the Apostle Peter preached to the men of Israel in Acts 2:22-36. We considered many wonderful things about the glorious...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Where does Heritage Presbyterian Church stand on Easter? Some might think, does this even have to be asked? What kind of question is that? Historically in the early days of the Reformation, even up to just over 100 years ago, many Presbyterian...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Everything that exists was created by God (John 1:3). God is of eternity (Psalm 90:1-2). In the beginning God created all that exists (Genesis 1:1). The creation narrative of Genesis 1 is a picture of the deliberate and perfect establishment of a...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
