Hope.
A four-letter word packed with positivity.
Yet hope is often something we must fight hard to hold on to when we face hardships.
Consider how the picture above relates to this post’s title.
What part of the picture represents the world?
Where do you see hope in the picture?
How is God a part of the picture?
Why is it important to relate to the world and God with hope?
I’ll share my personal thoughts at the end of the post. But first, how does 1 Peter 1:13-21 help us answer the above questions?
Relating to This World and God with Hope
A study on 1 Peter 1:13-21
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.[1]
Describe how you prepare your mind for action.
What does it mean to be sober-minded?
What is the hope Peter encourages his readers and us to fully embrace?
Remember that Peter is writing to Jesus’ followers who are under persecution for their faith.
How do his instructions help them hold on to their hope in Jesus Christ?
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,[2]
Describe an obedient child.
What does it mean to be conformed to a passion?
15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,[3]
How does our conduct reveal what or who we have set our hope for or in?
16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”[4]
Explain how it is possible for humans to be holy. (Review 1 Peter 1:1-13, Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7; and Matthew 5:48.)
17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,[5]
Describe the value of a Father who judges impartially.
What does Peter mean by “fear” in this verse? (Review 1 Peter 1:13)
Explain the implication of the phrase “throughout the time of your exile.”
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,[6]
Use 1 Peter 1:13-17 to explain what Peter means by the phrase “ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers.”
19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.[7]
Explain why Christ’s blood is of more value than silver or gold.
20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you[8]
Define foreknown.
Describe how this statement significantly strengthens our hope in times of hardship.
21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.[9]
Why are we able to trust and hope in God?
How, then, should this change our behavior with each other and God?
Relating to This World and God with Hope
Personal Application
How have your initial thoughts on the questions below changed or expanded after studying 1 Peter 1:13-21?
How does the picture above relate to this post’s title?
What part of the picture represents the world?
I consider the stony stairs as representing the hardness and trials of the world. These stairs require effort to climb; thus, one must prepare the mind and the body to act. The steepness and roughness of the stairs also require that one be focused or “sober-minded” to climb them to avoid falling or injuring oneself.
Where do you see hope in the picture?
I see hope in the resilience of the healthy green plant growing in such an unlikely spot.
How is God a part of the picture?
The light in the picture speaks to me of God’s watchful provision over the healthy green plant growing in such a precarious situation. I also recognize that God provided the crack in the stairs and vital nutrients for the plant to sprout up and grow as a message of enduring hope.
Why is it important to relate to the world and God with hope?
The picture above also reveals to me the transient nature of our lives. The healthy green plant will only be able to survive in that little crack on those stairs for a period known only to God. By implication, relating to the world and God with hope in His resurrection power is the most important job we have as followers of Jesus. Our hope is for our future inheritance in eternity, not this temporary one. Especially when suffering, it is worth relating to the world and God with hope.
Praise the Lord that our hope in Him is not perishable like silver and gold!
Is there any area of your life you need to change in response to 1 Peter 1:13-21? Why or why not?
When you are going through hardship, what helps you stay hopeful?
How do you help someone else remain hopeful while they are suffering hardship?
Leave a comment below about what encouraged you the most from this post.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 1:13.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 1:14.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 1:15.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 1:16.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 1:17.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 1:18.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 1:19.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 1:20.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 1:21.
Thanks Barbara. Pastor Richard preached on these verses last Sunday and I was going to email him this morning because I had some questions,
This is deep theology. Peter was talking directly to individuals (me) and basically telling them (me) how to act – take action. Why? Because of the HOPE he traced in verses 1-13.
How?
Be self-controlled!
Portray grace in your life!
Think (with your brain)…then take action!
Read the Bible!
I can’t get my mind around me being holy.