Nearly 2,000 years ago, Peter wrote a letter to believers in a situation not much different than our own. As followers of Christ, we are called to live out our faith in a world that often does not understand us and sometimes is quite antagonistic. We live in a world that is not our home, but desperately needs God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. Therefore, Peter does not want us to be surprised by opposition but see it as an opportunity to live out our faith showing the difference life in Christ makes. There is no greater apologetic to the world than for the believer to display the love of God while sharing His message of hope and salvation in all the circumstances of life.
Jesus issued a call to discipleship that warned of dangers ahead: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23). Jesus is not looking for mere believers, though belief is the first command. Christ has called for His disciples to follow Him while being changed by Him and committed to His mission. We learn from 1 Peter how to stand firm, living with hope as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus awaiting eternity with Him; while making an eternal difference in this world that is not our home.
In 1 Peter 1:1-2, we discover that Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote this letter and he wrote it to believers in Asia Minor that is modern-day Turkey. This letter was not written to any one congregation but intentionally written to all believers. As we read the letter, we discover it was written for all believers at all times. In other words, it was written for each and every one of us.
Then, in 1 Peter 1:3-5, we discover by God’s mercy we are invited into a living hope. Mercy, as an attribute of God, speaks of His goodness expressed to those who are afflicted. No other attribute of God could have helped us had mercy been refused. It is from God’s mercy that all our hopes begin.
In Christ, we are saved to a living hope because we have eternal life in a Savior who has conquered death Himself. It is faith in Christ that activates the preserving power of God in the life of the believer transforming us into a newness of life characterized by a living and active hope, which allows us to be in communion with God. One of the great blessings we have in Christ is this living hope that leads to an eternal inheritance of life with our Lord in paradise.
Peter continues to write in 1 Peter 1:6-9 that regardless of how bad our circumstances may appear, God is in control, and His love for us is constant. But why then do believers face trials and testing? Is it because God wants to know the strength of our faith? No, our faith is not tested because God doesn’t know how much or what kind of faith we have. God’s purpose in testing is to display the enduring quality of our faith. The simple truth is that when we have a living hope, where our joy is rooted in Jesus Christ, we are armed to face whatever suffering we may experience as Christians. Believers in Christ have a living hope characterized by joy in all circumstances, even though we at times genuinely grieve living in a world of hurt and pain.
Then, Peter concludes the first section of his letter, in 1 Peter 1:10-12, by describing how the prophets of old deeply desired and even the angels were eager to see the coming and salvific work of Christ. In other words, from the time of Peter to our present time, and into the unforeseeable future believers are privileged to live on this side of salvation history. Believers in Christ have a living hope characterized by joy in all circumstances that allows us to witness to all people at all times.
How does this impact the trials you are facing right now? How does this truth impact the grief you may be experiencing? We all know that you can’t simply ignore difficulties and pain. It certainly is not healthy to belittle it, but we must not despair in it or be crushed by it. In Christ, our sufferings are not wasted, but used to glorify Him, ultimately bless us, and as a witness benefits others. In Christ, we have a living hope and an eternal inheritance that significantly impacts our todays and endless tomorrows for a great purpose allowing us to rejoice in God and His goodness in all circumstances. Even though this world is not our home and at times we face difficulties and pain, we can have joy in Christ with a living hope and as His followers see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.
It is an honor to walk in this living hope with each of you. Imagine the impact on each of us, our homes, our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and our region. Although none of us are immune from suffering, tests, and trials this side of paradise, I hope and pray each of us will live in joy through our living hope in Christ. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!