The Story Ends in Glory {First 5}

Today I’m sharing at Proverbs 31 Ministries’ First 5 app about the living hope we have in Jesus. Here’s a preview . . .

1 Peter 1:3 (ESV) “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…”

I hate suspense. When I face uncertainty, stress, suffering or heartache, I long for a sneak peek at the end of the story. I wish I could flip to the last page like when I get to the cliffhanger in a novel. But in real life, we must walk through hard times without knowing when or if resolution will come.

First Peter was written to encourage scattered Christians in the middle of a story of suffering. (1 Peter 1:1; 4:12-13) As we read Peter’s words to these first-century believers, we see that God’s gift of a living hope in Jesus changes everything about our story. Jesus’ resurrection solidifies our hope, sustains us through suffering and secures our glorious future.

Because of our living hope, we know resurrection defines our story.

Peter starts by reminding us that our living hope is based on God’s mercy. God has “caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3). Because God united us to Christ by faith, our story ends like His — with resurrection from the dead and eternal life with the Father. (Romans 6:5; Ephesians 2:5-6) This living hope is as rock-solid as the stone that sat outside Jesus’ empty grave.

Our living hope also secures for us an eternal inheritance that can never be diminished, lost or stolen. (1 Peter 1:4-5; 5:4) The gift of the Holy Spirit guarantees that God is keeping this inheritance for us until we receive it in heaven. (Ephesians 1:13-14) We live each day in light of the promised resurrection and glory we have in Christ.

To read the rest of the teaching, head over to First 5. And while you’re there, be sure to download the First 5 app so you can follow along through the rest of the study with the First 5 team!

Share