Guidance for Trying Times

The Bible App I use every day gave me this verse for today: “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,” 1 Peter 1:3 NKJV

I knew right away, I needed more information.

I confess I am more of a “read here a little; there a little” kind of gal rather than reading whole chapters, but this morning I felt impressed to read the entire chapter. I was blessed by the reading, and as always, I learned something. (Peter quotes from the old testament) I want to share it with you this morning.

During the first century AD, Christians faced persecution in various parts of the Roman Empire. The Roman authorities viewed Christianity with suspicion because it was a relatively new religious movement, and Christians refused to participate in the imperial cult, or acknowledge the emperor as divine. The persecution varied in intensity and location, but it was a significant concern for early Christians.

So, Peter, one of the early Christian leaders, wrote a letter. In this letter, he was basically trying to help out his fellow Christians who were living in a world where they were the odd ones out. They were like tiny groups of Christians in a big sea of other beliefs, and some of those beliefs did not exactly welcome them with open arms.

Peter's letter was like a pep talk and a guidebook rolled into one. It gave them advice on how to stay strong in their faith, even when things got tough. It reminded them that their faith was important and that they should keep their hope in, and eyes on, Jesus.

Peter's letter was all about helping these early Christians keep their faith alive and strong in a world that sometimes wasn't so friendly to them. And so, with that in mind, let’s read:

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

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, 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.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 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, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for

“All flesh is like grass

and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

and the flower falls,

but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” 1 Peter 1-25 ESV

Peter is quoting Isaiah. We’ll take a look at that in more detail tomorrow.

Peter is giving advice to early Christians who were dealing with tough times and persecution. But his words ring true for us today: Keep your faith, stay hopeful, and stay true to your values even when things get tough. Show others how Christ's love can change lives by being loving, patient, and strong.

These principles of being good, tough, loving, and hopeful are still important for Christians today. How we interact with others in the world, well, makes a world of difference.

by Jeanette Stark – Tuesday, October 3, 2023