3Blessed 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, 4to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5Who 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)
In Christianity, hope, alongside faith and love, are the three celebrated theological virtues (1 Cor 13:13) that stem from the being of Jesus Christ. Hope, in its verb form, refers to “expecting with great confidence,” meaning that it is not just a state or a word but requires actions, such as faith, for it to be active in our lives. Hope in this world can be fleeting. We hope for good things but often face disappointments and challenges. However, the hope we have in Christ is different from that of the world, as it is secure, eternal, and unshakable. This Bible study, titled “A Living Hope,” looks at 1 Peter 1:3-5, focusing on four elements of hope, namely:
The Source of Our Hope
Verse 3 reveals to us that God is the source of our hope, cemented in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Knowing and having a relationship with God results in hopeful living; anchoring ourselves in His saving grace and knowledge gives us a new identity as children born of the Spirit of God. We believe and trust in Him, whom we do not see with our naked eyes but through His glorious deeds (2 Cor 4:18). Therefore, we trust Him in all circumstances because we know who we are in Christ.
A Living Hope
Peter realizes that this hope, rooted in Christ, is different and not based on worldly things; hence he calls it a “living hope.” It is God who calls us to a spiritual birth, but we must voluntarily accept Him and His mercy through salvation, allowing the Holy Spirit to regenerate us and bring believers into fellowship with Christ. Romans 8:11 outlines that the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in us. We are like flowers expecting to blossom because of Him. Jesus Christ, the “living hope,” rebirths us; His resurrection gives us hope in the eternal glory that no one can take away from us. This living hope constantly refreshes our souls as we fix our gaze on Christ. Living hope helps us focus and gives us joy, replacing fear with joy, the perishable with the imperishable, and providing victory over death. The resurrection of Jesus Christ completes us, as it provides peace, serenity, surety, and contentment—qualities contrary to what the world offers. It is pleasing that “our hope is not for the future; eternal life begins when we trust Christ and join God’s family.” (Chronological Life Application Study Bible)
Our Inheritance
Verse 4 outlines that we believers have a “priceless inheritance” (NLT) kept in heaven, accessible only to those who are hopeful and in fellowship with Christ. Our inheritance is secured and carries the highest value, which cannot be comprehended. What we have does not change; it is not dependent on economic, political, or social fluctuations, unlike earthly inheritances, which are constantly appreciating and depreciating in value. Importantly, earthly inheritances are never guaranteed. Peter clearly states that this inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Jesus taught us that we should not store up treasures on earth where moths and vermin destroy but rather in heaven, where thieves are unable to break in and steal (Matthew 6:19-20). God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19); we are not just hoping without knowing if we will receive, but we are guaranteed because of this precious hope. It is just a matter of time until the hope we have is realized on Judgment Day (Rev 20:11-15).
Faith and Protection
Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is the essence of hope; we are unable to have living hope without faith in Christ. Verse 5 outlines that we are protected by God’s power through our faith. As our faith increases, we depend on Christ even more. Faith establishes and sustains us, keeping us under the protection of the Almighty from the enemy’s snare. Salvation in this passage is used to describe the hope (v.3) and inheritance (v.4) that comes from God, which will be ready at the end of time. Speaking hope and faith assures us that we are not alone; God is with us and for us. Whenever we have faith, Scriptures such as Exodus 13:21 and Psalm 121:6-8 begin to take on meaning, assuring us of the protection and presence of Christ, our Living Hope.
Reflections and Application:
• In what areas of your life are you struggling to hold onto hope? How does knowing that your hope in Christ is secure help you persevere through those struggles?
• How does the resurrection of Jesus build your hope and faith?
• Make a list of the perishable and imperishable things in your life and reflect on the value of these things.
• Reflect on how you can live as someone with a “living hope.” How might this influence the way you interact with others?