Living Hope (1 Peter 1:1-9)

Living Hope (1 Peter 1:1-9)

1 예수 그리스도의 사도 베드로는 본도, 갈라디아, 갑바도기아, 아시아와 비두니아에 흩어진 나그네 

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,

2 곧 하나님 아버지의 미리 아심을 따라 성령의 거룩하게 하심으로 순종함과 예수 그리스도의 피 뿌림을 얻기 위하여 택하심을 입은 자들에게 편지하노니 은혜와 평강이 너희에게 더욱 많을찌어다 

2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

3 찬송하리로다 우리 주 예수 그리스도의 아버지 하나님이 그 많으신 긍휼대로 예수 그리스도의 죽은 자 가운데서 부활하심으로 말미암아 우리를 거듭나게 하사 산 소망이 있게 하시며 

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 썩지 않고 더럽지 않고 쇠하지 아니하는 기업을 잇게 하시나니 곧 너희를 위하여 하늘에 간직하신 것이라 

4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 

5 너희가 말세에 나타내기로 예비하신 구원을 얻기 위하여 믿음으로 말미암아 하나님의 능력으로 보호하심을 입었나니 

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 그러므로 너희가 이제 여러가지 시험을 인하여 잠간 근심하게 되지 않을 수 없었으나 오히려 크게 기뻐하도다 

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. 

7 너희 믿음의 시련이 불로 연단하여도 없어질 금보다 더 귀하여 예수 그리스도의 나타나실 때에 칭찬과 영광과 존귀를 얻게 하려 함이라 

7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 

8 예수를 너희가 보지 못하였으나 사랑하는도다 이제도 보지 못하나 믿고 말할 수 없는 영광스러운 즐거움으로 기뻐하니 

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 

9 믿음의 결국 곧 영혼의 구원을 받음이라

9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The feeling of extreme hunger, starvation, or thirst is never pleasant. Yet some choose to fast to become clean before God or receive an answer to their prayers. Every 6 months I put myself through a quick but extreme fast for the Army Physical Fitness Test. A week after the actual fitness test, everyone gets weighed and measured to ensure soldiers fall within the weight requirements for their height.

 

During this week I heavily monitor what I eat and exercise more intensely to lose as much weight as possible before the examination. If I fail to come within the weight limits, I can’t stay in the Army, no matter how well I’ve done or how well I performed on the fitness portion.

 

During this week my desire for food is unimaginable. That first bite of food after a week of fasting is nothing short of amazing. There is no better feeling. This hunger and thirst we feel is a universal craving necessary for us to survive.

 

Everyone has experienced thirst or hunger before. But have you felt it spiritually? What about now? Have you been ignoring it for so long you are no longer aware of it?

 

Any human being strives to be happy and satisfied physically, mentally, and materialistically. But when all of these things are satisfactory, we often fail to pay attention to our spiritual status. Take this moment to think about how we have been living as Christians and what we live for and hope for.

 

In today’s scripture, we see Peter write a letter to the First Church, whose members were in despair and fear. These people were members of a Christian diaspora, meaning they had lost their homelands and were driven to live scattered across regions, all because they believed in Jesus. The Bible tells us they were “exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia.”  We too are part of this Christian diaspora.

 

Yet despite such desolate circumstances, Peter instructs God’s people to praise God for He has given them a living hope through Jesus to which they can hold on. Peter’s letter describes what the living hope is about, its basis, and its power with the utmost certainty.

 

On what grounds does Peter speak of this “living hope”?

 

The first basis is in verse 3, “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” The Resurrection is proof of living hope. 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 explains how sad of a life Christians would have led if Jesus did not rise from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:20 tells us, “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” He became hope to the living and the dead.

 

Second, we were born again through God’s great mercy.  Those who are reborn in Christ have received the gift of everlasting life, therefore live with everlasting living hope. The rebirth of a Christian is solely given by the grace of God. The only thing we can do as mere humans is to have faith in Christ.

 
Then, what is the living hope about?

First, it is “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” Canaan was received and passed down by Abraham, given to him by God. In Hebrews 6:17-19, God proves that He rewards those who persevere and remain in His promise with hope.

 

Verse 4 continues to tell us, “This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” Ephesians 3:8 also tells us we are heirs to this hope. Galatians 4:6 says, “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.””

 

“Inheritance” in Greek is translated to “kleronomia.” The Old Testament defines this word as “the gift of God to His chosen people.” In the New Testament, there are five basic points in this word: 1. God’s Kingdom, 2. Eternal Life, 3. Salvation, 4. Promise/Covenant, 5. Blessing

 

Our living hope is that we, as God’s heirs, will one day receive the inheritance that is His Kingdom of Heaven. Our rewards are not on this earth, but rather in the future in Heaven and the Holy Spirit is our “guarantee” or assurance of this inheritance.

Second, verse 5 tells us, “through faith [you] are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” The “last time” refers to Jesus’ second coming and our ultimate salvation.

 

Salvation can be described in 3 parts: the past, meaning salvation that was already fulfilled (John 5:24); the present, meaning the saving that is happening now (Philippians 2:12); and the future, the salvation that will be completed when Jesus returns (2 Corinthians 1:10).

 

Verse 7 says, “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” We are protected by our Lord.

 

Ironically, the way we are protected is by putting us through many trials. Gold is only refined and pure after enduring a tedious process. We too are only strengthened and made pure by overcoming all the trials we are given.

 

Verse 6 and 8, therefore, tell us to rejoice. When were are being trained and tested, we are being strengthened. It is during this time we are most focused and spiritually awake.

 

From my own experience, training with the US Army was much easier than my training with the Korean Navy. The US conducts training and doles out punishments in strict accordance to the set rules, codes, and regulations.

 

When I was in Korea, I chose to join the Korean Navy as an officer as opposed to the Korean Army because it gave me a faster career path, basic training was shorter, and it just seemed easier overall.

 

But contrary to my expectations, training was hard, cold, random, and at times felt demeaning. Often times we were woken at 1 am by a loud blaring fanfare and forced to conduct emergency call trainings. In reality, these “trainings” were more of just punishments meant to break us through means of repetitive and extreme physical exertion. Squats and pushups were just the beginning; at some point, ice cold water would be poured on us and we had to endure through all of it.

 

But during these hours, everyone was incredibly focused. In fact, there was nothing else to think about other than getting through this and making it end as soon as possible. The sound of the fanfare told us such torture was imminent.

 

Yet hearing that fanfare wasn’t filled with just dread, because after all the torturous drills, we were given milk and bakery goods. on lucky days we were given cup noodles or candy. We always had hope that we would be rewarded with delicious treats after the arduous training.

 

God doesn’t only give His children peace and blessings. He trains them and puts them through laborious tasks as much as He loves them because it will strengthen them.

 

I am sure there are those here who have been through immeasurable pain and suffering. When worldly people encounter such trials, they turn to drinking, drugs, or even suicide. But God’s children are different; they cry out to God.

 

And when they do this they hear His voice, receive the fire of the Holy Spirit, or receive His grace. When we experience the grace of meeting God, our fears disappear. Do not despair at your trials. Rejoice as the Bible tells us. It is difficult for us to comprehend, but have faith in God’s greater wisdom and obey. When we do, we will receive the living hope and inherit His Kingdom.

What does Peter tell us happens when people live with the living hope?

Those with the living hope live with joy and happiness. Verse 8 says, “you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…” As it tells us in Philippians 4:4-7, those with the living hope rejoice no matter how difficult their trials.

Second, the living hope gives you a new outlook on life. The things that once held value become meaningless. The trials that once weighed us are welcomed with joy. Philippians 3:8-11 tells us we live with our hope placed solely in Jesus Christ. Matthew 6:33 says that we will “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to [us] as well.”

 

 

Those who live with a living hope inside them become detached from their worldly surroundings and are given the power to overcome all obstacles. We become certain that Jesus is sitting on God’s right hand side and is constantly speaking on our behalf.

 

Romans 8:24 tells us, “For in this hope we were saved.” Our hope is in the Risen Jesus and our

Father who resurrected him. How are you going to continue living? Let us focus on the hunger and thirst of our spirituality.

 

Don’t live life seeking comfort, complacency, and avoiding trials and obstacles. Face these trials with confidence and seek God’s gift of living hope through our Jesus Christ.

may,2017;peter bahng