Living Hope
Introduction
Many of us like to make New Year’s resolutions. Things we hope to achieve in the coming year. ‘Hope’ is something we speak about all the time. But we must realise that the Christian hope that we will focus on today is not same as the desires we may have in other areas of our life. Because underlying the things we hope to achieve is an element of doubt. Most New Year’s resolutions are never achieved. But Christian hope is different. The Christian hope as revealed in the Bible, speaks with certainty about the future. It is a certain hope because the future for believers has already been determined by God.
Reflect
- Peter gives praise and thanks to God. What reason does he give for doing this?
- What do you understand by ‘new birth’ and how does it come about? You may also like to look at 1 Peter 1:23 and John 3:16.
We come to new birth when we hear God’s Word – the living and enduring Word of God – and we respond and put our trust in Jesus. And God, in His mercy, works such a great change in our lives it’s like being born all over again. This new birth comes from an imperishable seed. A seed that cannot die. So when we truly come to Christ, then the new life that grows in us, comes from a seed that will not, indeed cannot, perish.
Reflect
- What do you understand by ‘living hope’; and what event in history gives us ‘living hope’?
- What is special about our inheritance?
- How does God protect this inheritance?
If we are in Christ, we are given a living hope. And that living hope is as secure as the undeniable fact that Jesus rose from the dead. Did you notice the assurance given here? God is keeping this inheritance safe for us – and He is keeping us safe for this inheritance!
Reflect
- Despite the trials that may come our way, what is Peter calling us to do?
- What reason does Peter give for God allowing us to go through difficulties?
Through the trials we face, God is continually shaping and moulding us into the people He wants us to be. What love, what grace, what hope. All these are ours if we are in Christ!
Something to think and pray about
You may like to share with a friend one thing you hope for in 2022. Then together spend time praising God that He has given us a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Something to sing about
You may enjoy listening to Phil Wickham’s song Living Hope; as well as this amazing à cappella recording of In Christ Alone by a very talented man from TheNCrew.
Thanks for the reminder, especially in these ‘different’ times that our hope is the certainty of both our salvation and the coming again of Jesus to bring that salvation to its wonderful fulfilment. We do indeed have much to give thanks for – and to sing about.