Gifts That Lead to Faithfulness

Creation: A Divine Cycle
The Birthing of a New Community

Christ Creates Holy Living

1 Peter 1:3-9. The Message

A New Life

3-5 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.
6-7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.
8-9 You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation.

For Reflection

It was not easy for Christ, and it will not be easy for us. In our new lives in Christ, we will still face tribulation, disappointment, and grief. Yet, as our resurrected selves we meet these human conditions in a far different state. We face these trials with an abiding trust in God. And that makes all the difference. This is our inheritance. This is God's gift to us. This is our destiny.

Pray

prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God for his love of God's creation. Praise God for the opportunity to live our lives free from the seductions of our time in the loving and merciful kingdom of God. Pray for all who live in the name of Christ and who hope for the salvation of the world and endure tribulation to help God achieve it.