“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.” ( 1 Peter 1:3-5, NIV)
Christian people come to the time of
Easter with a thankful heart realizing that this season gives them both
salvation and eternal life. In the
resurrection, we as Christians rest secure in the eternal victory that was purchased
at the cross by the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Still I wonder if we as Christians really
desire more of ever present Christ and powerful work that is un-going in us
because of His death and resurrection. We know God’s powerful hand is working
in the lives of all who believe in Jesus Christ, but we can also lose our focus
and fail in seeking all that God wants to do in our lives. We desire some of the victory but sometimes
hold back from letting Christ have full reign in our lives and the full victory
that He desires for all of us.
Peter calls the reality of our faith, is
“a living hope” coming from our “new birth” (Peter 1:3). I have seen people become born again by their
acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Lord in their life. I have seen people become reborn after their
baptism, people reborn after a prayer and some even by a mighty act of God
coming directly upon their life.
Sometimes these events make for spectacular testimonies and I dearly
love seeing these and hearing about them, but the truly amazing and powerful
fact is this; accepting and giving Jesus Christ the Kingship he deserves and
being obedient to Him in all things from baptism to our daily living is what
brings us into this “living hope.” This
is not a hope just for the eternal future as much as it is the eternal future
is part of this secure living hopeful reality that is ours in Christ, now and
forever.
Just before Peter talks about the “new
birth” and the “living hope” that it brings, he speaks of the elect place and
position that is ours as believers. God
in His mercy has chosen us in foreknowledge to come into relationship with Him.
This relationship comes through the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross
which leads us into obedience as the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit
changes and transforms us. This is the
living hope that is alive in us. It is
alive because we are invigorated with hope, hope comes new each and every and
we are filled with hope for eternity.
We are forgiven for all sins in the
past, in the present and in the future by the blood shed on the cross. There is
no condemnation because we are in Christ Jesus.
The grace of Christ covers us to save us; but it also flows over us
every day carrying us to the time when we will see Christ Himself. The victory of the resurrection makes each
day, as well as eternity … something truly wonderful. Let the forgiveness which comes to you from
the cross overwhelm you daily in thankfulness and gratitude. Let the living
hope that came from resurrection and lives in us by a Risen Christ and His Holy
Spirit; empower you to live a new life each and every day from now until
eternity. Let the Risen and Living Christ have His way
and His place in your life. The
celebration of Easter is the celebration of the victories of Christ being alive
in us as His Spirit is alive in us. The purpose of the cross and the empty tomb
is to grant us the “living hope” that only Christ can give.
Suggested Reading … 1 Peter 1
No comments:
Post a Comment