Living Hope

A few years ago I realized that I spoke often of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the church, etc.  One day it occurred to me that not everyone I talk to would consciously think about the fact these present in us are “living”.  They are alive, and I decided that I should refer to them as such.  Through a process in my own life, I began to say, “The Living Christ”, “The Living God”, “The Living Church”.

It seems to me that if it is true that God, Jesus, the church-  if they are “living”, then the HOPE that we receive through them is also living.  Our Living Hope.

Last Sunday we read the words of 1 Peter, 1:1-12.

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the province of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” 1 Peter 1:1-2

That is a long sentence to remind us that God’s grace and peace is ours when we are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus, living in the sanctifying work of the Spirit, and are obedient to Jesus Christ.

However, we can’t stop reading at verse 2.

I Peter 1:3  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

It is a great truth of our faith knowing that hope is a living and very present part of our spiritual journey.   Through the seasons of time when God is silent, we may have to dig a little deeper to find it, or we may need to realize through faith that God gives living hope to us.

In mercy, God gives us new life in Christ through resurrection;  through the raising of that which has been claimed “dead”.  Resurrection.  Living Hope.  These are dynamic thoughts, and yet we often read through them as if they are the introduction, “Let’s listen to this so we can get to the good stuff.”

Family, this IS the good stuff.

In a time when many things can bring hopelessness to the forefront of our hearts and minds remember that your Christ is living, He gives you new life and we have through Him, a living hope.

Walk in the truth of 1 Peter today.  We hope to see you in-person or online this Sunday.

Blessings,

Pastor Danene