City Life Starter

I. TEXT: 1 Peter 1:3 – 9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love.  Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls.

II. Study Questions

1. How would you define hope?

2. What is ‘living hope’ according to Peter?

3. How does this hope affects your daily life?

What is hope?  In today’s western culture, hope can be seen as something you wish for or something to happen according to a person’s desire.  We say, “I am hoping for a new job.” “I am hoping that my interview, test, meeting, date, etc. goes well.”  The usage of this word has much to do with individual’s longing for something good.  No one hopes for bad things to happen, with only the exception of hoping evil to others (if you are reading this as a Christian and you are hoping evil on others, we need to talk).  

Hope, according to the Scripture is not so much about an individual’s gain but has much to do with God’s promise. The promises of God written for those who believe in Him and His Son.  For Christians, this means our hope is not only in the promises of God, but the promised fulfilled in Christ through the death, resurrection and ascension, and His promise of return.  

In 1 Peter, it is important to read Peter’s words with some context.  The apostle Peter opens his letter with praise and glory to God to those who are being ridiculed and threaten for their faith in Christ.  The purpose of his letter to his audience is to assure their faith through salvation in Jesus.  

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Peter calls, ‘living hope’ to describe divine grace which has been bestowed upon those who believe in Christ.  It is God’s providential grace that has been given to those who would believe in the Son of God.  It is rightfully so, that the divine grace came through the providence of the Father and the obedience of the Son.  What Jesus has accomplished through the death and resurrection is the ‘living hope,’ salvation in Christ and eternal life.  

4-5 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Peter calls assurance of salvation that believers have received as an inheritance.  Believers are the true recipients of God’s inheritance of salvation, that is not temporal but eternal.  This hope is perfect, in that it came from God, that there is no imperfection in Him, especially divine grace and the way of salvation.  The key sentence is “does not fade away” or in another words this living hope is permanent forever.

V 6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

It is perspective, in that the way we view trial and testing on this earth should be seen through the lens of eternal hope.  The hope of eternal life, in Christ Jesus is the anchor of our soul, that the world we live is temporal, including trials and persecutions as Peter is encouraging his readers.  We are only sojourners and pilgrims of this earth, though we will face various challenges in this life, through our perseverance and fixing our eyes on Christ, our future holds great promise of rewards which is encountering and embracing the Son of God.  

V 8-9 whom having not seen you love.  Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith-the salvation of your souls.

This is the good news of the gospel, not only that the promise of salvation has come but it affects everything in the life of believers.  The eternal hope gives us strength to persevere and trust in Him who saved and promised us eternity with Him.  There is something amazing about assurance of our faith as believers, it empowers us to do amazing things for God, our family and friends, our city and country, and our daily life.  The most important question is, do you know this hope?  Are you convinced of this hope?  And are you living out this hope?  May our Lord and Christ grant you revelation of this living hope that is found in Him.  

JY