THE BASIS OF OUR HOPE

(A) Hope That Endures (1 Peter1: 6-9)

Question: “Why can a Christian rejoice in spite of even the worst of life's circumstances?”

In verse 6, when Peter declared that Christians could “greatly rejoice,” it wasn't meant to be a command, but instead a statement of ongoing fact. The preceding verses provide the foundation for a joy that need not be shaken.

Christians are uniquely equipped and empowered to endure trials with joy. The trials confronted by first-century believers were real, and Peter affirmed that. But they were also temporary, unlike the permanence of Christian hope.

Suffering also holds the potential to bring about a positive result. As Christians endure suffering, the immense value of their faith is demonstrated. Verse 7 notes that such faith is more valuable than gold-that is, of greater value than anything in this world. Trials serve .to strengthen that faith and thus bring glory to God.

This promise, then, lends itself to a powerful realization: The difficulties Christians see and experience are swallowed up in the glorious promise found in what we cannot see, and what we hope to experience. We do not rejoice because of suffering, but in spite of it. Peter stated this in a way that heightens the paradox: We “are receiving” the salvation of our souls (verse 9, NIV). It provides us with a reminder that we can enjoy the blessings of salvation now through joy, hope, and divine blessings even as we continue to live in this present age.

(B) Hope That Is Unsurpassed (1 Peter1:10-12)

The message of salvation was not: unique to the New Testament writers. The prophets spoke of it, though they struggled to understand what it meant (1 Peter 1:10-11). They were receiving salvation, whereas the prophets could only tell of it and look forward to it. Ultimately, it was revealed that the prophets spoke to events and promises, that could only be understood through the ministry, death, and resurrection of Christ.

(Verse 12) offers a glimpse into the activity of heaven through the ages. Angels possess a, deep interest in human salvation, This is seen in Luke 15:10. as they rejoice when a sinner is saved. Scripture also records that angels observed Jesus in His early life on earth (1 Timothy 3:16), and will rejoice in the completion of redemption (Revelation 5: 1 1-214).

Question: “In light of these things, why can 1 Peter 1:10-42 offer hope and encouragement to a Christian experiencing a trial of faith?”

Salvation is immensely signiticant, eternal, enduring and capturing even the attention of the angels in heaven. Trials and persecution can seem all-consuming as they unfold. But they pale in comparison to the hope of God's gift of eternal life in His presence.

(C) Transformed by Hope (1 Peter1:13-21)

Two words are especially significant in this passage: wherefore (verse 13 [KJV; “therefore," NIV] and “if” [KJV, “since,” NlV]). Both words create a connection between hope and salvation. All of the profound truth just stated concerning salvation should have an impact on how a Christian lives, both in terms of attitude (hope, verse 13) and action (obedience, verse 14). Christians are to prepare themselves for genuine spiritual transformation.

Question: “What part does obedience play in the Christian life?”

Obedience te Good is not the means by which we come into right relationship to Him. But, as Peter highlights in 1:13-21, obedience is an essential response ‘to the salvation God has granted us as we strive to follow Him. This includes refusing to conform to the desires and values that exemplify those who are lost‘in “ignorance" (verse 14). This refers to spiritual ignorance. Prior to coming to Christ, people lived without restraint Now, as believers they must turn from their formerways.

Question: “Why must a Christian be holy, and what does that mean?"

Peter quoted Leviticus 11:44-45 in commanding his readers to embrace holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16). Being holy means to be separate from, sin and committed to God. it embraces pL’Irity and integrity, and rejects the impure, profane, and ungodly. One commentator defines holiness as loving conformity to God's commands as well as to His Son.

The “why” of holiness is found in verses 17-21. God doesn't intend His people to be deeply entrenched into this world's system of values and beliefs (a principle echoed in 31 John 2:15-17). Christians are strangers and foreigners in this 1 world (1 Peter1: 17), and should live as such.

Peter also called on his readers to consider the price paid for salvation as motivation toward holiness (verses 18-20). Because that price was paid with something of;incorruptible value-the life of God’s Son-we ought not diminish our salvation by indulging in corruptible things that dishonor God. Our lives should reflect the reality that our faith and hope are in ‘ God (verse 21).

(D) Hope Reflected In Love (1 Peter1: 22) through2:3

At the foundation of the Christian's obligation to live In a manner pleasing to God is the Command to love each other (1 Peter 2:22-23).

Question: “How would you define the godly love Peter wrote about?”

The love Peter described is unselfish in nature. It reflects the Very nature of God himself (1 John 4:7-8). Love should be the greatest evidence of hope within the life of a Christian. Once again, Peter appealed to the eternal over the temporal, in 1 Peter 1:23-25. Christians are born of the incorruptible Word of God-born again through Christ. Without Him, no man or woman has hope beyond the fleeting existence of this life. Only in the gospel of Christ can anyone find eternal hope.

Question: “In light of 1 Peter 2:1, how should a believer‘s life be different in light of hepe?”

A Christian's life should not be filled with evil. Note how each example of evil. Noted in this verse deals with how Christians relate to each other. Living by hope must include putting aside selfishness in order to reflect God's love to one another.

If believers are to love each other, then the sins mentioned in verse 1 must be removed from their lives. Rather than engage in worldly activities, Peter encouraged his readers-- many of them new converts-- to be like newborn babies in their craving to receive and follow the Word of God (verse 2).
A growing, newborn baby requires a steady diet of milk, as he or she cannot digest anything else Likewise, new believers need a steady spiritual diet of God's Word to bring health and growth in their lives.

This is not to say that mature Christians have less need for the Word. All believers should feast on a steady diet of both the milk and meat of God‘s Word. Peter was pointing-to how Christians ought to respond to the goodness of God (verse 3). The “taste” that the things of the world leave in the mouths of believers is unpleasant, and the consequences can be severe. But the things of God nourish Christians in ways’that this world can only imagine. He fulfills a spiritual appetite that cannot be quenched any other way.

In conclusion.

Hope is one of the Christian's greatest treasures. It gives us the encouragement we need to keep moving forward when life is difficult because it reminds us that Jesus is with us. It also helps us keep a proper perspective in prosperous times, when we are tempted to place a higher priority on earthly pleasures that we should.

Decide today to be a person of hope. Begin by thanking Jesus for the hope that you have because of His sacrifice. Make every effort in the days to come to greet adversity and difficult circumstances as opportunities to see God's presence revealed In your life.

The Bible Is filled with verses that pertain to hope. Locate a verse or two that deal with hope and commit them to memory. This will allow you to a meditate on hope through any situation.

^cheers!