Living Hope
Today's Verse:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ~1 Peter 1:3
Hope is defined as an anticipation of something to come or occur. When we use the word hope, there is always some measure of uncertainty in our usage. For instance, someone waiting for public transportation might say, “I hope the BART train is on time.” As we get older we might say, “I hope to live to be a certain age.” Common, everyday hope has a desire for something to happen, but it understands that there could be uncertainties affecting the desired outcome. For the Christian, our hope is something far greater. For a Christian, our hope is something that is a guaranteed anticipation. It is a hope settled on a divine promise. This morning, we will examine what Peter calls the "living hope" of every Christian.
We see a manifold provision.
Peter was writing to Christians who had been displaced and scattered to different areas due to persecution. The faith of some of these believers had become doubtful and discouraged. The first thing that Peter did was to remind them of the incredible working of God in salvation for everyone who believes on Jesus as Savior. He speaks of the Father’s foreknowledge in salvation. He speaks about the sanctifying of the Holy Spirit in salvation. He speaks about the application or the sprinkling of the blood of the Lord Jesus in salvation. He reminds us that salvation is all of God and nothing of us. When discouragement gets you doubting, remember that God is all-powerful and is always in control.
We see a matchless performance.
Salvation is all of grace and nothing of us. God’s abundant and unfailing mercy makes possible the new birth in the life of a believer. The moment when a sinner accepts by grace God’s gift of salvation, he is born again into the family of God. The power that transforms us is based on the irrefutable power that raised the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. That’s why Peter eloquently says we have been begotten again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus' resurrection gives us hope beyond the grave. A hope that is eternal, guaranteed, and satisfying.
We see a meticulous preservation.
After we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, our entire salvation is guaranteed and cannot be lost. We have an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. We are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. We do the trusting, and God does the keeping! Our salvation is reserved for us in Heaven and cannot be changed, modified, or cancelled! We have a living hope because our eternal security is a work of God that is powerfully meticulous.
We see a motivating perspective.
We have a living hope! The problems and trials of this life will beat away at us like powerful waves beating on an ocean cliff. However, Jesus Christ is our unshakable Rock upon which we stand. We do not have to face our problems down in the mouth or as a defeated individual. A living hope means the power that saved us is the same power that enables us! So, our living hope gives us a motivating perspective. Notice, Peter says, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice....” A living hope gives us the daily ability to rejoice no matter what is happening around us. Our hope is alive! Our hope is Christ in us, the hope of glory.
Yes, we have a living hope. It is a guarantee that does not diminish nor can be destroyed. Be of good cheer, and rejoice because of your living hope!
Have a hope-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 4-8