“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…” (1 Peter 1:3).
God is the source of life – wherever God is, there is life; whatever God touches it, it springs to life…even by His spoken word, God brings life forth.
God emanates life…He breathes life.
Jesus came into our world so that we may have life (John 10:10). He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life…” (John 14:6).
Hence, through His resurrection we have been born into a living hope (v.3).
Our hope is a living hope, because it comes from a living God through His “living” Son – Jesus is alive!
Having this solid foundation, our living hope is a life changing hope. The living hope affects our lives; it drives our lives; it informs our lives – it permeates every cell or our body.
The living hope then, actively works to set our expectation on Jesus, waiting for His return according to His promise. Peter calls on to every believer “…set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (v.13). While we already experience the richness of God’s grace now, its fullness that will be revealed at Jesus’ coming is beyond any imagination. Paul having a glimpse of it, realised that in the current context there is no way to describe what he saw and experienced (2Cor. 12:2).
The living hope also actively works to resolve resisting any conformity with the evil/worldly desires that haunt the people. Peter wrote, “…do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance…” (v.14).
The world, in its ignorance of God’s grace and mercy, continues to chase any desire that has an appearance of happiness and/or satisfaction – a vain chase.
The living hope provides happiness and satisfaction as we conform to God’s standards and values – He is holy. Praise God!
The living hope given to us is a life changing hope!