1 Peter: Jesus Is Our Hope In Times Of Suffering
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1 Peter: Jesus Is Our Hope In Times Of Suffering
1 Peter 1:3-8 (ESV)
3 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,
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
To what extent are you willing to suffer for Jesus Christ? Will you continue to follow Jesus even in times of persecution?
For Christians who live in the West, the idea of suffering or persecution because of our faith in Jesus is almost nonexistent. Of course, I don't want to undermine the experience of some who may have been looked down on or laughed at because of their faith. But unlike those believers in other Muslim and Communist countries, hostility, imprisonments, and even death were typical and expected experiences.
Last year, the report from Open Doors, USA was published by Christianity Today about the persecutions of Christians in most of these countries, and here are the numbers they highlighted: (The 50 Countries Where it's Most Dangerous to Follow Jesus in 2021, CT January 13 Issue)
Every day, 13 Christians worldwide are killed because of their faith.
Every day, 12 churches or Christian buildings are attacked.
Every day, 12 Christians are unjustly arrested or imprisoned.
Every day, 5 Christians are abducted.
But despite these numbers, there was a statement from Open Doors, the USA, which is encouraging:
"The numbers of God's people who are suffering should mean the church is dying – that Christians are keeping quiet, losing their faith, and turning away from one another. But that's not what's happening. Instead, in living color, we see the words of God recorded in the prophet Isaiah: 'I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert'" (Isaiah 43:19 ESV).
Today in these countries where Christians are severely persecuted what is truly amazing is that Christians are persevering and thriving. Now, this should not surprise us who are studying the Bible. Why? This mysterious effect of persecution can be seen even from the New Testament Scriptures.
For example, when I preached on the Book of Hebrews, I told you that the context of Paul's writing to Jewish Christians was because some of them were thinking of going back to their old religion. After all, they were being subjected to severe persecutions. What kind of persecution are we talking about? This passage will give you some insight:
Hebrews 11:33-40 (ESV)
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
35 Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.
36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—
38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,
40 since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Notice, beginning verses 33-38, you will find the list of the persecutions they went through, yet they were being honored in this chapter highlighting heroes of faith. They actually persevered in following the Lord. Don't miss verses 39-40; the words here simply mean that although they did not experience the second coming of the Lord Jesus, what God gave them in return was way so much better.
This context is very much the same background as Peter's first letter. He wrote almost at the same time, around 64 AD, and the specific addressee for this epistles were the persecuted churches in Asia Minor, that is to say, Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
So, as we begin our study 1 Peter, it is essential to see that in Peter's desire to encourage these believers, he wanted to exalt Jesus as their source of hope in times of their suffering. Therefore, on this theme, there are three characteristics of Jesus we will emphasize:
I JESUS IS THE RESURRECTED SAVIOR (v.3)
When we covered the book of Titus several Sundays ago, I talked about our "blessed hope" in Christ, I spent time explaining the New Testament meaning of the word "hope." If you recall, we said it's not the same as its usage today whenever it's used. For example, today, we use hope expressing a wish or a desire would happen, but without certainty whatsoever. The actual usage here of "hope" is that it carries the confident expectation of something that will take place because it is based on God's promises.
But what is even more significant in our verse is Peter's perspective attaching our hope to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Notice how he worded it in verse 3 – "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."
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most significant work that Jesus had accomplished when He was here on earth. It is the culmination of His redemptive work. No other founder of any religion can claim the same triumph over death. Only Jesus is the only person who can historically prove it. And because He resurrected, according to Peter, He can bestow two blessings:
A. Rebirth
Jesus, as the object of hope, is not for everyone; this hope is only available to those who have been "born again." The basic idea of being "born again" means that besides your physical birth, you were also born spiritually when you repented of your sins and received Jesus Christ as your Savior.
Going back to the verse will eliminate the popular idea of how people can go to heaven. How? Notice, Peter in verse 3 says, "According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again" Unfortunately, the most common concept of people going to heaven is for them to do good works. However, looking at this statement, our salvation is wholly based on God's work:
"According to his great mercy" – God's mercy in the Bible always means God's willingness to withhold the penalty of sin to those who don't deserve them and based on their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
"He has caused us to be born again – God alone caused it by imparting eternal life through the Holy Spirit to the believers.
B. Resource
Another important blessing comes from the fact that because Jesus is alive today, He is a reliable resource for believers while they face their daily challenges.
In the Old Testament, God's people have constantly been rebuked because of their foolish tendency to trust dead idols. Listen to these words in Psalm 135:15-18 (ESV):
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see;
17 they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them.
In sharp contrast, Christians who trust Jesus who is alive should have a greater sense of assurance. We will never regret putting our trust in our living Savior. Knowing this truth, Peter never hesitated to say in his letter these words:
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV)
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
So, whatever is your pressing burden Today, there is a living Savior who cares for you and invites you to let Him take your burdens away from you.
II JESUS IS THE RELIABLE SHIELD (vs. 4-5)
The next characteristic of Jesus as our living hope is found in verses 4-5 – "to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
For those believers who were going through severe suffering during Peter's writing, it was great to know that whatever they were going through was all temporary and short-lived. Once they go to heaven, the Lord would allow them to enjoy the inheritance He has been guarding or shielding them.
First, allow me to explain this inheritance that awaits God's people. Undoubtedly, this inheritance speaks of all the riches that believers hope to enjoy in heaven for eternity.
But, who is giving us the guarantee that we won't miss receiving our inheritance? It is not Peter, but Jesus Himself is the basis of our assurance. Since He is alive in heaven today, He can guard our inheritance. The word “guarded” in verse 5 was a military term, which means to be garrisoned by an army. The image is quite clear that Jesus, in His almighty power, is securing our riches in heaven.
I trust that we won't miss the contrast that God's Word is giving us. While we are in this world, we often put our hope on things that we can easily lose. Everything in this world can die, be destroyed, deteriorate, or be taken away from us. But not those riches that Jesus is shielding for us. Notice the descriptive words used in the text:
Imperishable – It means nothing can destroy or ruin it. It cannot be damaged in any way.
Undefiled – It means that it is in perfect condition. It cannot be stained or cheapened in any way.
Unfading – It doesn't grow old or worn out. Its glory and beauty will remain as is without any deterioration.
Kept in heaven – It means being watched on continually. It is almost like God having constant surveillance to ensure our riches are secured.
How many of you are looking forward to enjoying your inheritance in heaven? It would give us so much confidence and joy to live for Christ today on earth, though we often suffer hardships, knowing when we go to heaven, we will enjoy our glorious inheritance in heaven. This truth reminds me of Paul's words in Philippians 1:21 (ESV):
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Why is death a gain for believers? Remember, death is the ultimate door that opens us to heaven, where we will forever enjoy God and everything that He has in store for us.
III JESUS IS THE RESOURCEFUL SANCTIFIER
Lastly, in Jesus's goal of sanctifying and purifying us, He will use some tools that we often misunderstand. Peter refers to them in verse 6, saying, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials." Since these believers are being persecuted for their faith, Peter could have referred to all their difficulties as "suffering" or "persecution." But, he referred to them as "Trials" or "Tests."
With this term, we should immediately understand that the believer's difficulties don't happen arbitrarily without any reason whatsoever; they are necessary tools that God is allowing in our lives. Understanding these reasons will allow us to appreciate our living hope in Jesus Christ amid our suffering. But before we cover the reasons, let me also emphasize the first two realities about trials:
A. Two Realities of Trials (v. 6)
"for a little while" – Our tests are meant to be for a season. They are temporary and will not be permanent.
"various trials" – They come in different forms and sizes because they are designed to mold us in areas we are lacking.
B. Two Reasons of Trials (vs. 7-8)
To identify God's reasons for allowing tests into our lives, let's go back to the last two verses 7-8 – "so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory."
In these verses, we can find two clear-cut reasons:
To Test the Genuineness of our Faith (v. 7)
The picture here of this testing is equal to the testing of pure gold. To bring the pure quality of gold, it has to go through a high-temperature flame. In the same way, our faith must go through the fire to remove its impurities. Without this purification process, our faith in Christ will remain weak and unreliable.
To Test the Genuineness of our Love for Him (v. 8)
This statement is the key phrase in verse 8 that shows this truth – "Though you have not seen him, you love him." Since the Christian faith is based on our relationship with Jesus Christ, our growth in faith should also mean growth in our love for Him. God will continue to measure our love for Him by our willingness to follow Him despite our continual suffering. Here's a great quote from William Lincoln:
People talk a lot about love, but the true test of love to God and Christ is, that in the trial, it says, "I would not lose the favor and smile of God, so will rather suffer than grieve Him." Love will be content with a crust and smile of God rather than a better position and the popularity of the world without it. Such tests must come to all the children of God."
As I close, let me again remind you that while we are in the world, we, as believers, will certainly experience hardships and troubles. There's no escaping them. But I hope and pray that every time we are going through these times of suffering, we will always set our eyes and hearts to Jesus Christ, who is alive in heaven today, who is our living hope. Don't look for your hope here on earth because you will only be disappointed. Always look to Jesus as the only source of true hope for us.
-Bishop Jeremiah Lepasana