Begotten To A Living Hope…

Later this week, our reading will bring us into 1 Peter.  Writing to believers in the midst of fiery trials, Peter assured them that their salvation was sure - they had been elected by God to salvation.

Often times, doctrines like election and predestination stir up strong feelings in the hearts of fellow Christians.  These differing feelings can even lead to bitter disagreements if left unchecked.  However, Peter was not thinking, “Hmmm…what can I write about that will really stir things up among the Christian think tanks?  I know…I’ll write about election!”  Rather, Peter wanted to bring to his fellow followers of Christ some genuine encouragement.  Persecution was looming.  The times were uncertain with a man like Nero in power.  What would be a ready remedy to the fears that could be assailing them?  It was this - knowing that their salvation was a work of God, and that they were being safely held in His hands both for now and for eternity.

Consider again what Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:3-5: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 

Think about the rich privileges that are ours in Christ.  We have been born again to a living hope.  We each have a unique inheritance with our name on it awaiting our arrival in heaven, and even if our ETA is some time off, no problem - there’s no rusting or fading when it comes to this inheritance.  And besides that, we must never forget that we are kept, not by our own teeth-gritting, bootstrap-pulling tenacity, but by the very power of God.  What could comfort the heart more in the midst of fiery trials than these wonderful realities?

“Oh no, You never let go, through the calm and through the storm, Oh no, You never let go, in ev’ry high and ev’ry low, Oh no, You never let go, Lord, You never let go of me.”                      - Matt Redman