‘I hope I get that job.’ ‘I hope we can afford that house, it was so nice.’ ‘I hope she likes me.’ ‘I hope I don’t run out of gas before getting to the station.’ ‘That poor boy has no hope, he is clueless.’ ‘It’s hopeless, I give up.’
Have you ever heard someone say one of these statements, or even a similar statement? When we make these statements what does that do to our understanding of hope? What is the foundation of your hope, and where does your hope lead you?
Peter addresses believers who are in various places, facing numerous persecutions, who share a similar faith and as such a similar hope. It is in the beginning of his first letter that he addresses this hope and where it should lead their lives…
“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.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 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.”
-- I Peter 1:3-9
Peter addresses us today directing us to recognize a ‘living hope’ that is provided through Jesus’ resurrection. A living hope: This provides a path through faith to salvation, an inheritance that is reserved for us, protected by God’s power which will never fade away.
What is the foundation of our hope? Do we place our hope in earthly possessions, in our jobs, in friends and family or do we truly place our hope in God our Father? Do we place the foundation of our faith on our belief in Him and the love He provides through His death and resurrection?
Are we willing to suffer trials that our faith would be ‘tested by fire’? If not, can we expect to find salvation as our outcome?
Do you have a living hope today, or do you just proclaim to believe in some god somewhere?
