Hope Piercing the Darkness

1 Peter 1

Hope is a powerful thing to possess; perhaps one of the Christian’s greatest assets in a world still writhing from the impact of sin and painfully unfamiliar with the Lord. Its darkness…. The kind that accompany suffering, injustice, and feeling like you have been displaced in a hostile foreign country. While we know we have certain rights and desire the same privileges others enjoy, we are nevertheless denied them simply because of our faith in Jesus. Its darkness when right is viewed as wrong and wrong is portrayed as right.  Anyone else can express their opinions publicly and they will be celebrated for it, but as soon as a Christian takes their faith outside of the walls of their church, they are sharply rebuked for proselytizing in the public square. Beloved, this is evidence of darkness. In many places of the world the darkness is aggressively hostile and violent against followers of our Lord Jesus. There are governments and countries with intentional and concerted efforts to rid themselves of the people of God. Yes, this is heavy pitch black thick impenetrable darkness…and yet…we have real hope.

Peter tells these believers who are experiencing some measure of persecution that they have a living hope because of the resurrected Christ! He, as an apostle of our Lord, knew what it means to cower under pressure denying the Lord; he also fully understood the pain of standing boldly for Christ while facing hostile neighbors and countrymen. Peter grappled with positive changes to advance the gospel to gentile peoples braking with traditions that only served to hinder the expansion of Christ’s hope. As something of a gospel pioneer, Peter knew well the pain, loneliness, and what it means to be misunderstood by not only the lost but also the brethren. No doubt God used Peter’s struggles and sufferings to enable him to minister deeply to the hurting and to communicate a message of powerful hope. Hope so extraordinary that it can even pierce the darkness of this world.

These believers were “scattered” and referred to as “strangers” and maybe even disinherited. Perhaps they felt powerless…unable to leverage their rights…without any earthly authority to mention. Weak, unwanted, barely tolerated, and spurn like a plague or virus. Because of their faith in Jesus, the world system did not want them around. Wandering like pilgrims who seek another country whose builder and maker is the Lord God. Not only did Peter know they felt orphaned and rejected, but God knows they felt displaced as people who really did not belong here.  Struggling under bone-crushing trials because of their pure stand with Christ…what could one say to encourage them? Some of them lost their families, their inheritance, their livelihood, and even family members to death by persecution! What could Peter, the apostle, possibly say to them that would be worth their hearing it? Even though the hour is dark…they still have the light of hope in Jesus Christ!

Peter reminds them that though they are rejected by the world, they are “elect” and chosen by God! Though they are viewed as tainted, diluted, and offensive, Peter reminds them they have been set apart unto God for His purposes through the “sanctification of the Spirit”! Though the world discards them viewing them as worthless, God willingly spent the precious “blood of Jesus Christ” to have them as His own covenant people! In addition, God is not merely interested in blessing them, but He desires to multiply grace and peace in their experiences. Furthermore, they also have the assurance of salvation and preservation by God! Peter encourages them by telling them their heavenly inheritance is guaranteed. They may have lost it all down here to cruel family members, but the Father promises their eternal inheritance will not be taken away. Such an inheritance will never ever fade, decay, or be stolen; it is yours always by your heavenly Father’s design. Such hope affords joy even during the hard challenges and weighty trials of faith we must make.  Such hope moves us to “bless… the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” This potent hope is just as alive as our Savior the Lord Jesus is; as such it continually ministers grace and peace to the people of God as we take it seriously. Beloved such hope deliberately pierces the darkest times. Oh, may it prevail in each of our hearts today. The anticipation that Jesus could come and receive us unto Himself at any moment delivering us into our eternal inheritance is a tremendous source of hope for the suffering child of God.  It is by faith we realize the immediate benefit of this hope. Beloved, you must trust in this God-provided hope.

The believer can not only know hope in the dark hours of pain, but we can also know “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” You see, God can not only establish our faith, but also purge it through the tests of life. This realization gives meaning and affords blessing to each of us during difficult times. God’s purpose in pain is to purge our faith of impurities, lies, and misconceptions about Him and ourselves. God desires a clear view of reality as He knows it and not according to our often limited and skewed perspectives. Beloved, a tried faith is “much more precious than gold.” Our faith becomes more valuable as it is put to the test and demonstrates its imperishable nature. We must not allow ourselves to resent the tests God permits us to face…. In addition, our progress through problems will bring “praise honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”  This is the perspective of faith even though we have never physically met our Savior. The fact that we are saved is reason to rejoice; our purified faith will bring God glory and result in our good! You see, even in suffering there is this hope that pierces the darkness.

As believers, we have the completed Word of God and therefore, a fuller understanding of our great salvation.  The prophets of old wrote about it, but did not understand it entirely.  Even though they gave great expositions of the suffering and glory of Christ, they still did not grasp all the details and intricacies of this present age.  They wrote for our benefit today.  Clearly, God wants us to understand and appreciate the wonderful work of salvation He has wrought for us.  This knowledge will sustain the hope and joy in the heart of the faithful saint enduring unfavorable circumstances. In fact, God even uses Christians today as an object lesson for teaching angels about His unmerited favor towards sinful fallen mankind. 

Peter also challenges the believer to live in holiness.  During unfair and hard trials, our behavior can become less then Christian.  Unfortunately, some may even justify their poor and wrong attitudes in the light of their afflictions. They may feel justified for their anger, resentment, and desires for revenge.  However, Peter reminds the child of God that holiness is not a matter of convenience, or circumstances, but one of commitment and character.  Recognizing that the Father is holy and judges righteously prompts us believers to show forth this same characteristic in daily life.  Realizing our responsibility in the light of the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed at Calvary for our redemption, stirs us to abandon cheap, corrupt, vain, and traditional lifestyles.  A life of hope and holiness is the only thing befitting a believer bought with such an awesome price and destined for such astounding glory!

The Bible gives clear counsel on living as set apart people unto God’s pleasure, purpose, and plans.  In fact, through belief of “the truth” believers are purified enabling them to practice “unfeigned love” towards the brethren.  In addition, believers were “born again” by the incorruptible seed of the Word for living a non-corrupted life.  This eternal Word affords eternal life and an eternal perspective that result in eternal glory for the child of God.  Since our hope in this life is glory despite the pain, then holiness throughout this life is a natural response to such hope.

Indeed, the salvation of God gives us plenty reason to anticipate a better day.  For the time being the pain is real, the frustrations are real, and the disappointments are real.  But, the hope we have in Christ by the grace of the Father is equally just as real.  The sufferings we currently know will become the glory we now anticipate.  No matter how dark, bleak, unpromising, and foreboding the present hour may be, the future is getting brighter all the time.  We must not lose sight of this hope. Salvation through Christ the living Savior means hope, faith, and joy every day and glory for all eternity! Beloved, such prevailing hope still pierces the darkness. 

Internal Conflict

James 4

War and conflict find their source deep in the hearts of the individual.  They are components of our fleshly lustful nature as fallen creatures and they make havoc of our relationships if left unchecked.  James tells us of conflict within, with others and with God Himself.  This war with the flesh is exacerbated by the conflict with the world, another enemy of God and of our souls.  The world lures us to compromise our love and loyalty. We are enticed to be unfaithful to God and give the world system a portion of our heart and friendship.  If we must have values, simply Christianize those rooted in the system of worldly and godless lifestyles. This seems to be at the heart of this temptation. But, God is crystal clear when he calls the spiritually unfaithful believer in Christ adulterous.  He is not willing to share His blood bought ones with His enemy.

There is another dangerous enemy to the child of God, Satan.  He too seeks to deceive and thereby control the Christian.  He will use our carnal fallen nature against us, and he will call upon His other strong alley the World to influence our thoughts, values, and ambitions.  The warfare is spiritual, but real and bloody.  Many unprepared believers have fallen because they failed to understand God’s methods and weapons of warfare.

The primary means of defeating all of these formidable enemies is submission to God.  Instead of fleshly desires of lust, we submit our desires to His.  Instead of loving the world and its things, we choose to love God supremely.  Instead of falling for another of the devil’s lies we respect the truth and walk in it. Submission is choosing a position under the authority of God.  This will defeat the enemies of our souls.

In this place of submission unto God and all His will, the believer is afforded grace as long as he is humbly dependant on the Lord for victory.  We have the responsibility to resist the devil, confess and forsake sin, seek intimate fellowship with God, focus our hearts and minds singularly on the Lord and His will, and get real serious regarding our attitude towards sin.  When the believer does this God promises to give grace, the devil will run away in defeat, and we will be lifted up by God’s power.    

James addresses the subject of the tongue and the judgmental attitudes that often inspire its devastating activity.  Bad-mouthing, slander, gossip, and other indiscretions with speech actually place one in the seat of a judge instead of a subject to the law. There is but, one Judge and Lawgiver—Jehovah and He is not accepting resumes for these positions!  We would demonstrate our wisdom by leaving these responsibilities with Him and His precious Word.

The last thing James addresses is planning or the failure to plan with God at the center of one’s ambitions.  Too often we plan without consulting God or we go about our activities without even considering the fact that He has a specific will and plan for us.  Our number one Counselor should always be Him Who knows the extent of our lives and holds the future in His hands.  Any other planning is an act rooted in self-sufficiency or perceived financial independence and is evidently born of pride.  For the lost businessperson to conduct their affairs without including God is normal, but for a Christian it is scandalous sin.  The believer desiring to please the Lord with their business endeavors must first be concerned with, “if the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”  This is the standard for Christian behavior and to fail to comply joyfully is sin.

Weather we are facing spiritual wars against a clever enemy with formidable alleys, seeking to control the tongue, or making plans for our future, submission to the Lordship of Christ is essential.  Victory over our enemies, discipline to speak good and avoid evil, and assurance for our future plans are centered in Him.  The wise believer will submit joyfully and embrace the will of God with the entire heart.  In doing so, there will be peace within, and in our relationships because we have peace with God.  God will afford grace, power, and control to the life consciously humbled before Him.  Our Father will unveil His marvelous will for our lives as we trust Him and walk with Him day by day and plan for our futures.  

The Heart of a Bigot

James 2

James tackles favoritism and partiality in the first portion of chapter two revealing it as sinful, shallow, and selfish.  Some of the people in the churches addressed by James where showing “respect of persons.”  They were partial to the rich and influential, but they treated the poor with contempt and disrespect. This is the same type of partiality, or favoritism found in many Christian circles today.  Whenever a person of physical beauty, high fashion, a certain race, occupation, social position, or material wealth receive preferential treatment it is inequality, injustice, and sin.  Certainly it is prevalent in our society at large, but it has strong inroads into western Christianity.  It is not an overstatement to say that the rich and powerful ‘run’ many churches or holds the positions of influence and control.

But a good question worth pondering at this point is why does discrimination seem to have a strong hold in the hearts of people?  Sometimes it’s because different people make us uncomfortable and uncertain of our responsibilities towards them.  So fear is perhaps the first reason—we fear what we don’t understand.  Others may practice favoritism because they identify with the rich and powerful or want to belong with the successful and not the people perceived as failures.  Therefore selfishness is a strong compulsion in the heart of the person who wants to use these ‘connections’ for personal advantage or gain.

But, James points out how an impartial heart is sitting in judgment over “evil thoughts” or worldly criteria and sinful standards.  He also highlights the fact that God treats the poor and misfortunate people with acceptance and blessing.  It can also be understood from James reasoning that the rich were characteristically oppressive toward the poor and actually slandered the exalted name of Christ.  Ironically, the churches were honoring the peoples who dishonored them and blaspheme their Lord!

James provides a solid solution to shallow judgments of people.  A divine remedy for prejudiced hearts enslaved to disrespecting others for such superficial reasons.  James called it “the royal law.”  This is the King’s command to “love thy neighbor as thyself.”  Only godly love can cast out fears and reservations and turn the heart from selfish motives to minister to the needs of others!  James tells us that violating the law of love is as violent as transgressing the commandments of God.  There must be submission to the King and His royal law! God wants His people to live according to the “law of liberty.” This involves showing mercy and kindness towards people regardless of their social or financial station in life.  The believer’s walk and talk are to be marked by impartiality, equality, and fairness towards all people.  This can only be achieved by the love of God in our own hearts by the power of Christ. 

Secondly, James addresses the fact that genuine saving faith will produce a lifestyle of good works, service, and active obedience to the Lord.  A false faith is unprofitable—it is not dynamic animating and motivating.  No, a false faith is content with well wishing, but fails to engage people where the needs are to alleviate the suffering.  This false faith may even agree whole-heartedly with church creeds or doctrinal belief systems, but it must be regarded as dead because it does not result in action.

True faith can be seen in the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, and the assistance Rahab gave to Joshua’s spies.  Faith is what motivated them and the only explanation for their actions. Abraham willingly obeyed God regardless of the consequences, and Rahab helped the messengers of God and placed her hope in Him.  Both of them regarded the will of God above all else and aligned themselves with it through active participation. Both of them possessed true faith because their actions were profitable and evident.  Their faith was made visible through their activity. Certainly a sinner is saved by the grace of God through a personal act of trust—faith—but such belief, true faith, will produce a lifestyle of activities which fulfill the very desires of God. 

Love and faith go hand in hand in the Scriptures as they appear hear in James chapter two.  They should also complement each other in the Christian experience.  The life of authentic faith should be marked by love, and the loving soul should be guided by faith. As a result of these two graces there will be hope.  Thus, we have “faith, hope, charity” and the greatest among these three is love.