Living Hope

“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…” (1 Peter 1:3, NASB)

Here the man who denied he knew Jesus three times, praises God for providing salvation. The new birth is made possible because God connects us to His Son who He raised from the dead – a resurrection that promises that His children will one day also be raised to the new life – the “living hope.” My hope in my future is unshakable; is yours?

Wolves

1 Peter 5:8 - Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Christians need to be constantly on alert which can only be done when we are in control of our faculties. Satan is likely to attack when you are weak, not in your stronger attentive moments. So be attentive. For Montanans the notion of the introduced wolves would be a relevant analogy right now; ranchers are indeed vigilant for the ones seeking to devour. Do not let Satan get a toehold on your life!

Suffering Produces

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. - 1Peter 5:10

Christian suffering is never useless. It always produces for God’s glory character in the Christian whose life is turned over to God. It makes him or her stronger in the Lord. Examine your own life to see if this is not true.

Reason to Rejoice

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
 - 1Pe 4:12-13

For a Christian two things are true about suffering. First, it is the norm and you should not be surprised when it happens. Second, suffering is reason for rejoicing – the cause of Christ is being served. This suffering joy will enhance your joy at Jesus’ Second Coming. When was the last time you suffered for your Lord? Remember and rejoice.

Be a Lover

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

I know you know this but as a reminder Jesus repeatedly stated our obligation to love God first and then others. Here we learn that where love for one another thrives, offenses are frequently overlooked and quickly forgotten. So the opposite is true as well. If you hold a grudge or there’s bitterness toward someone, you don’t love them. Hmmm. Sin is compounded by the lack of love. Be a lover.

Love the Unseen Savior

…and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:8-9

You do not see Jesus yet you love, believe in, and rejoice in Him; doing so you have the faith that saves. I love Peter’s logic in that. Thank you, Jesus!

Failure to Flee

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. - 1 Peter 2:11

In many ways temptations will be there for us, but often we do not avoid them, walking straight to the attraction and sin. We need to abstain, Peter says, and, of course, he is right. So why do we not listen to his advice?