In the apostle Peter’s first epistle, he reminds the scattered saints of who they are, what God has done for them, and the living hope they have.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:3-5
These are some of the most comforting words in scripture. These words would provide great comfort for the disciples of Jesus who were about to face persecution. Peter often reminded Christians of what they already knew to be true (see 2 Peter 1:12-14).
We too need to be reminded of the living hope we have in Jesus Christ. Let’s consider a few thoughts as we think about this living hope.
As we consider this living hope, it’s not to be confused with how so many use the word hope. Sometimes people say, “I hope it will rain.” Or “I hope the Cowboys will win the Super Bowl this year.” Rather, the hope Peter speaks of is the idea that conveys an expectation, a certainty of something to come that is rooted in Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. That’s what we see in this text.
Christians have reason to rejoice because of the hope that’s found and is through Jesus. Let’s make some observations about our living hope.
This hope is real. It’s rooted in Jesus.
It’s active. Notice he says, “living hope.” It’s active and alive, not dead. This is not some kind of false hope established on things that are not true. It’s established on the truth of Jesus and what He’s accomplished.
The source is Jesus and the resurrection. The fact Jesus died but rose from the grave on the third day is the reason we can have hope. It’s the reason we can face death with confidence that one day we will rise from the dead.
Courage to endure. This living hope is to be an anchor for our souls, Hebrews 6:19. The saints would need endurance to face the sufferings that awaited them. They would be able to find it in their hope in Jesus.
The object of this living hope is our resurrection and heaven! We have an inheritance that awaits us. We don’t have to worry about our reward being destroyed. Our reward will not fade away, but the earth one day will, 2 Peter 3:9-10.
This living hope is obtained when one is born again. This letter is written to people who were born again, 1 Peter 1:23. As a result, they now had hope. What great joy this should bring to us.
This hope is reason to bless God! As a result of this hope, it should drive us to worship Him and to proclaim the excellencies of Him!
This living hope is where our joy is found. It would still be possible for the saints to rejoice even during suffering, 1 Peter 1:6. We can do the same.
Because of this living hope, we are livings stones, 1 Peter 2:5. As living stones, we are to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Christians are blessed! Those outside of Jesus don’t have this living hope.
“…Remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world…” Ephesians 2:12.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that one can be obedient to the truth to receiving this living hope!
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