1 Peter 1:1-12

Focused Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9

We live in a world of uncertainty.  Circumstances constantly change, sometimes for better and other times for worse.  However, as believers, Peter reminds us of God’s past, current, and future work in our lives, all of which provides us with a solid foundation for joyful living.

Peter begins by reminding us that God the Father caused us to be born again to the hope of eternal life as secured by the resurrection of Jesus (1:3). He has made us the beneficiaries of an unshakeable, heavenly inheritance (1:4).  Peter then tells us that God is currently preserving us through our faith and using trials to mold our perspectives (1:5).  Eventually, when we see Jesus face-to-face, our salvation will be completed, and we will joyfully enter into God’s presence and remain there as his children for all of eternity (1:6-9).

Throughout Peter’s opening statements, a resounding truth emerges: Our perspective of reality impacts how we live out our lives.  If we focus on the immediate, we will often be disappointed and frustrated.  Things will not always work out as we desire.  However, if we develop a mindset based on the realities above, our immediate circumstances are put into perspective.  We will suffer, at times in a trivial manner and other times excruciatingly, but our hope will not be shaken.

 

Take some time to think or talk through the following questions with a view to applying the passage in your own life.

  1. Where is my hope placed? Is it in the inheritance that Jesus secured for me, or in something else? (i.e. relationships, finances, status, etc.)
  2. What habits do I need to develop and implement to begin forming an enduring, eternal perspective on life?

At our Crossing Campus in Pleasanton, our church family is going through a Sunday sermon series 1 Peter: The Sojourner’s Hope. (Audio sermons available online.)

We sincerely believe that the more we interact with and apply God’s Word, the greater impact it will have on our hearts and in our lives.  Therefore, we encourage you to make use of these devotionals in your personal or family devotion times as well as small groups.

In regard to the weekly devotions themselves—they are just that.  Short, application-focused mini-studies intended to increase our grasp and implementation of God’s Word.  While our teaching team strives to provide detailed, verse-by-verse explanation on Sunday mornings, this collection of devotions seeks to hone in on some limited particulars and then stimulate your thinking in regard to your own personal implementation.  Some of the questions will not have easy answers.  These are meant to push you towards seeking the wisdom of those in the community who are more established in the faith.

It is our earnest prayer and desire that these weekly devotionals will serve to enrich your time with the Lord both in solitude and community.

-The VBC Teaching Team