A Living Hope
1 Peter 1:1-6 (NIV) 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: (1 Peter 1:1 (MSG) writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgot
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Praise to God for a Living Hope
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3 (MSG) we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!) 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
Peter, brash, bold, one of Jesus’ inner circle, yet he would go on to fall asleep in the Garden of Gethsemane while Jesus prayed, chop off a man’s ear, and deny Jesus three times. If someone like Peter could overcome all of these missteps to become a leader in the church, then it would seem we are without excuse when it comes to being intentional disciples.
Peter is writing to followers of Christ who had fled due to persecution and, as he put it, were scattered to the four winds. Few of us in 21st Century America can fully appreciate having to pack up a few belongings and flee for our lives. Peter addresses the elect, “foreknowledge” (prognōsis), those whom God knew would respond to Him.
Isn’t it comforting to know that God not only made a way for our salvation through Jesus Christ, but we have an inheritance of eternal life that can never be taken away!
WHEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER (James M. Black, 1893)
1 When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain:
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
May we be confident that we, too, have an inheritance laid up for us in heaven, and may we share this good news with all we meet.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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