Bible Studies
This is the first in a series of studies from the 1st Peter. This book has a great deal of application for Christians living in these difficult times. After the brief introduction in verses 1-2, a very encouraging word is found in the next two verses. That word is hope. Verses 3-4 say, "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." Let's list the attributes of that hope.
1. It is a living hope.
2. It is imperishable.
3. It is undefiled.
4. It will not fade away.
5. It is reserved in heaven.
Verse 5 says we are protected by the power of God. So we have hope and protection, which gives a reason to "greatly rejoice." Rejoicing is mentioned again in verse 8. This is in the context of trials and testing. Christian persecution is at an all-time high worldwide. In the United States Christians are being bullied, silenced, and ostracized from society. But verse 7 says that in the midst of all this, rejoicing is the "proof of your faith." It says that the proof of one's faith tested by fire is more precious than gold which is perishable.
In addition to being the proof of one's faith, trials and testing do two things: they reveal and refine a person's character. In Job 23:10 we read, "But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold."
Notice all the contrast between perishable gold and our imperishable inheritance as Christians. This is the tremendous hope we have in the midst of the current world conditions. And it is all based upon grace, something that even the prophets of old and the angels have not experienced (verses 10-12).
Beginning in verse 13 we see a "therefore." Whenever you see that word it refers back to the previous context. In this case it is grace. It says to "gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." There it is again, hope made possible by grace.
The word "grace" or the concept of grace is mentioned several times in the preceding verses:
1. The sanctifiying work of the Spirit (verse 2).
2. The blood of Christ (verse 2).
3. Grace and peace (verse 2).
4. Great mercy (verse 3).
The next several verses (14-17) tell us to live our lives in response to grace. We are to be obedient, not conformed to the world, and living lives of purity and fear. What kind of fear does this mean? I believe it means to not live a life out of neglect of God's grace. In other words, we should not live our lives anyway we want to. Why? The answer is found in verses 18-19, which go back to verse 7. "Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold...but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." The grace of Christ is not to be taken lightly!
As we come to the close of this chapter we see hope mentioned again, because of the resurrection of Jesus (vers 21). In the final verses of 22-25 obedience and purity are assumed. Verse 22 begins with the word "since." Love is also added. And once again verse 23 mentions being born again through an imperishable living and abiding word of God."
Do you have a living hope today found only in the grace of Jesus Christ?
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