We’re nearly three months into 2023 and we’ve covered the first main section of the first page of Peter’s letter to believers living outside the immediate area of Jerusalem after Jesus’ resurrection. It’s been a great start to the new year as we’ve focused on our hope in Christ. We’ve considered gifts of hope and how to hold on to hope. Hope whispers to us and reminds us of God’s shield, power, and protection in storms. Jesus’ resurrection gives life to our hope.
Author and literary agent Cynthia Ruchti’s tagline for her writing and speaking ministry is:
“I can’t unravel. I’m hemmed in hope.”
The author of the letter to the Hebrews said it this way:
“… we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf” (Hebrews 6:18b-20a).
I envision it more that I’m wrapped in hope, as in a cozy quilt. From this safe haven of hope,
Peter urged his readers,
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming” (1 Peter 1:13).
*What does hope in Jesus Christ mean to you?
- Keep your mind held in constant preparation, ready for anything.1
- The King James Version uses a phrase from the time period, “gird up your loins,” meaning to tuck your robes up for traveling quickly and easily when necessary.
- This reminds me of Pooh when he was with Christopher Robin one day.
“… Pooh knew that an Adventure was going to happen, and he brushed the honey off his nose with the back of his paw, and spruced himself up as well as he could, so as to look Ready for Anything.”2
*How can we keep our minds constantly prepared for Jesus’ second coming?
*How can we be “ready for anything” as we travel through our days?
*How does hope help us in our journey through life?
- Set your hope on God’s grace as you trust in Jesus Christ
- The prophets spoke of grace that was to come (1 Peter 1:10).
- God gave us Grace in the person of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:7).
- That grace was a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8).
- We receive it even in our weakness, as Paul wrote,
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (1 Corinthians 12:9a). 
- Grace refers to the benefits in and through Jesus and the good news of His sacrificial death in our place.3
- It speaks of divine favor bestowed upon us.3
- Grace is as everlasting as eternal life.
- Paul reminded Timothy that
“… this grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time” (2 Timothy 1:9).
- Our right standing with God through Jesus’ sacrificial death opens the door for grace in our future.
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6-7).
*How have you benefited from God’s grace in the past?
*How has God’s grace been sufficient for you in the present?
*How do you envision “the incomparable riches” of God’s grace in the future?
- Therefore, we watch in steadfast hope for the Second Coming of Christ.4
- Our faith calls us to obedience.
- Peter gave his readers simple-to-read much-harder-to-do tips for how we are to live while we wait.
“… do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:14-15).
- If the word “conform” reminds us of Romans 12:2, it should.
- In both cases the same word is translated “conform.”5
- Peter’s advice to not conform to the evil desires of this world is in direct contrast to Paul’s teaching,
“… be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2).
- This might explain how we so easily stray—the word “conform” means same pattern.
- Do not follow the same patterns you had before you knew God’s truth in the gospel.
- Do create a new pattern or habit to renew your mind.
- Begin to change your life and actions to become holy.
- Peter emphasized this idea of “be holy” when he wrote the same word four times in two verses.
- The word “holy” means [live a life that is] morally pure, upright, virtuous, blameless in heart and life.
- Tall order. Our only hope is truly in our hope.
We set our hope on God’s everlasting Grace.
*How can we break away from ungodly patterns of this world?
*How can we create new habits to renew our minds?
*How has God called you to holiness in your life?
1 Zodhiates p. 148, 1066
2 A. A. Milne. Winnie-the-Pooh. (Canada: McClelland & Stewart, Ltd., 1932. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/67098/67098-h/67098-h.htm#CHAPTER_VIII
3 Zodhiates, p.1470
4 Zodhiates, p. 225, 1011
5 Zodhiates, p 1350