The Hope of God

1 Peter: 1:3-6

“3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.”

When we come to faith, we are given a new birth which is a life in Christ.  We are changed, incrementally, over the course of our lifetime by the work of the Holy Spirit.  We are moved into an ever deepening relationship with God.  Because of the resurrection of Christ, no matter how we may suffer in this life, we have hope; the hope of an eternal life in the company of God.

Even though our suffering in this life at times may seem great and unbearable, let us keep the hope of the resurrection ever before us.  And in this hope, let us be examples of Christ's love to the world.  

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier