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.