Everyone experiences times of difficulties and trials. This is because we live in a broken world. We Christians are not exempt—even though we serve a graceful and benevolent God. Peter teaches in 1 Peter 1:1-9 that Christians can live a confident life regardless of circumstances. We will learn in this series that even in times of suffering we can continue following God’s commands and live righteous lives.
To be a follower of Jesus during the time 1 Peter was written meant being obedient to God instead of fitting in to the world around them. These Christians understood what true persecution is. Peter wrote this letter to encourage them to keep living lives for God in the midst of trials and persecution. However, it encourages all Christians to keep the faith in spite of hardships.
Living hope
Peter first wrote that Christians are set apart and chosen. God understands all our circumstances and every difficulty we have been through and will go through. He has redeemed us through Jesus and sanctifies us through the Holy Spirit. God also calls us to live in obedience. As Paul wrote in Romans 6:6, “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.”
We have a living hope in Jesus. Our hope is not dead, but is alive because Jesus is alive. Our hope is in Jesus to cover us with his grace, in the present, the past and the future. We need this hope now to spur us on to live as he desires. We have this hope even in times of difficulty, because we know one day we will be one with him forever.
Revelation 21:4 tells us: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” This is relevant for all believers especially in times of hardship or trouble, because when confidence cannot be found in anything else, it is found in the grace and power of God.
In the midst of difficulties, we must focus on, cling to, and put our confidence in what is truly important: our inheritance as God’s children. That includes heaven as well as God’s grace and strength for today. We should not compare our lives with the lives of those living in the world, nor should we put our faith in worldly things.
Unshakable faith
One becomes a Christian by having the faith that Jesus is Lord and that he died to save sinners. Faith is the central theme in our lives. Genuine faith is not wishful thinking; it is a deep conviction that God is who he says he is. Genuine faith enables us to courageously meet the challenges of the world because we know our inheritance is secure and that our suffering will last only a little while. Through 1 Peter 1:6-7, God assures us the trials and tribulations we face while walking with him will be used for spiritual growth.
Our entire social system, culture and way of life revolve around money. Unlike money, faith will last for eternity and it will never perish. Peter compares our faith with money or gold, by saying that our faith is of greater worth than gold and that through trials our faith will be strengthened.
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Glorious grace
To live a holy life in times of difficulty does not mean we cannot make mistakes. For we all know that when the pressures surround us and we feel the stress of the circumstances, we are more capable of slipping up. Christ redeems us from our past sins and the ones in the future. He covers us with his blood so that our souls can have rest and so we can live with freedom in his grace. He walks with us in our trials and promises to never leave us.
As sinful creatures, we know it is impossible to be completely perfect and obedient to God. We somehow always mess up and can never quite live up to the holy standards of a perfect God. However, God has given us a way to be holy and clean from sin.
He sent Jesus to be the blood sacrifice, so that we can live clean lives as he desires. Jesus gives us a new birth, so we are no longer slaves to our sinful desires, but we are born of the spirit and now belong to God’s family.
1 Peter 1:3,4 says: “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, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”
So, what more shall we do when we undergo suffering or trials, but rejoice and walk through them with joy? Knowing that Christ went through many trials, understands our pain and he has chosen us to live the lives we have. We also can rejoice because we know in the end that our faith will be strengthened and our trials will result in greater praise and glory to our God.
Questions for reflection
• Why is it more difficult to be obedient to God during times of hardship or struggle?
• What are some things you can do to live a more Godly life in difficult situations?
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