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Studies Through 1st Peter | 1 Peter 1: 3-8 | Translating Living Hope

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-8 ESV


Last week we looked at two key words. 1. Born Again and 2. Living Hope. But as we ended I felt that I was not done with the whole section. I felt something was lacking and to be honest I was lazy to study the word through the last week.  Yet Praise God that he had not forsaken me. I had some lovely conversations with two brothers or three regarding the state of affairs in the kingdom of God and church. We were talking about how the message and sermons are being replaced with deliverance and voice modulated dramatized "financial freedom" messages when the church is starving. One thing I remember hearing was that there may be a revival and the more we think on such things and speak God would ignite us to speak boldly the good news. One thing the COVID-19 season which is now in the western EU rising again brings into mind is that life is fragile. We cannot be the masters of our life. Do you remember the time messages used to be be the master of your life? at least TED talks and hallmark films? Now the world has faced what the Gospel was right all along. The wisdom of the ages that all is vapour (james 4:14)  is now acknowledged. We will go through the topic of born again in depth for a few weeks with more time for testimonies. But I was struggling to find the connection from the being born again to living hope. The idea that we are born again is a good thing. It is amazing to know that the God of universe might choose us, save us , adopt us and prepare a home for us. This is the greatest news. When I was young, I just wanted to die after I understood the message of the Gospel. I wanted to die before that but that was because my life was meaning less. I wanted to die after I heard the gospel because I did not want to sin anymore. I wonder if you know what I mean? I used to be scared that my salvation was dependent on my best effort to be holy. So any way i felt i was not holy, I feared that I would loose my salvation. This was my fear. Do you have this fear brothers? 

Let us see what Peter means - ...God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time

What does it mean? it means that God is in control. God is in charge of our salvation. That is one good news. Do you know why? It is not a salvation that will go away if you sneezed hard enough. If you believe there is a salvation that you will lose if you lost control, then you will most definitely lose it. But that is not the Biblical view. The view is that God's power  guards our salvation. Our eternal joy is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Isn't that amazing?

It is being guarded through faith.
This is the point of today. How does faith in God translate to hope? This is an important question for all of us to consider. I want you to know brothers that theology does not save you, actions does not save you, ministry does not save you, baptism does not save you but all are necessary and useful in one way or other. It is Jesus who saves you. This is a topic for next weeks. I am serious that I want you to hear it. Today our topic is on hope and faith but you would not know what I mean till you know life. This life comes from Jesus Christ and from him alone and it is not a work of organised religion but of His Spirit working in you. I am serious about this because I love you and want to see you at the lamb's table and also be there.

So today's topic...

How is hope useful? Peter says that the hope gives life. That is why its called a living hope. This hope allows us to live daily. 



Working through the mundane. 

We look for thrills and experiences. We find our testimonials convey supernatural help only in inhuman situations like God helped me during an accident etc. But that is a strange hope to have. To expect God to be present only in the highs or the lows... Mundane mornings are meant to be supernatural. They are on repeat. These are the periods in life habits are formed. These are the periods where faith is pressed the most, yet not felt. These are the places where hope is embedded though not expected.
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