1 Peter 1:1-12
Monday, 1 March 2021
"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" -1Peter 1:3
True Christian faith is centred on a living hope that is based upon the resurrected Jesus Christ. This living hope is the pivotal force that guides us during fierce tests and trials in life. It guides a true Christian in the path of holiness and also equips him in the service of the Lord in this world. Today's reading gives us the perspective that God the Father is the reason behind this hope – He has begotten each of us to this living hope and given a stronger and deeper meaning to it by raising Jesus Christ from the dead. Outside the resurrection of Christ, humans do not have any lasting hope – no other facts in human lives can kindly such an undying hope about the future! Because Christ has risen, every child of God has - the hope of being with Him in eternity, the hope of a time when all sorrows and tears will end!!
Suffering with Joy: Peter's main aim in writing this epistle was to strengthen all the Christian believers in an anti-Christian culture. Persecution was then welcomed by Christians at large, with courage and joy that could only be found in those with this kind of living hope. For the suffering Christian, the hope of eternity with a risen Savior was a surety and not a myth. This hope originates in a person's heart as soon as he is born again. (.....he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, -1 Peter 1:3). A born again believer can sing with confidence, "Because He lives I can face tomorrow...." With such an ardent surety of his calling and election by God Almighty Himself into a blessed hope preserved in heaven without any blemish, causes a believer to look through the eyes of faith and endure suffering with joy.
Holy Life based on a living Hope: The second great blessing of this immortal and living hope is that it propels the desire for a holy life. When you have something to hope for, which is so sure to get, then its worth to put every effort to get it. This is nothing but the cost of discipleship one has to bear to keep going on the holy trail shown by our Lord Jesus himself. The hope that is set for us is the eternal life with Jesus. Since the one who has called us is holy, we also need to be holy. "…but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct…" (1 Peter 1:15)
A living hope is the basis of Christian service: Every Christian is called to become the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Even though our very presence itself is abominable to others in society, we are called to love and serve. When we focus our life on this earth as the representatives of the next world, we will conduct ourselves in such a way as to serve impartially and with self-sacrifice. The reason why many Christians are not able to exhibit this character is because of their lacking of the true hope of eternity. The very fundamental fiber of a Christian brother or sister is built upon this truth that he or she is born again to this wonderful living hope. A hope- that prevails all the fiery darts of the enemy!
May the LORD enable us to exhibit such a sure and living hope in our everyday life. Amen!
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to exhibit this living hope throughout my life.
In Jesus name. Amen.
Listen: ‘Because He Lives!’