1 Peter 1

Yesterday I was trying to think of what to write and I couldn't really think of anything... This morning I was reading my Bible, in 1 Peter, which is one of my most favourite books of the Bible. I ended up deciding that I would just kinda talk about 1 Peter 1. 

....So yah...

1 Peter 1

Just look at vs. 3-4
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. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

Read it slowly. Soak it in. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, through His conquering of death, God, in His great mercy has given us new birth and a living hope! How many of us are searching for new birth, somewhere to start over, to be made new, to have something else to live for? A living hope? Not just any hope people, but a living hope! If you need hope in your life, here is where to find it! And we haven't even finished the verses; we also have an inheritance that is kept in heaven, which can not; not will not, not might not, but can not ever perish, spoil or fade. What promises!! 

vs. 6-7
 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 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 ought to rejoice about this! And greatly! For those of us who have ever wondered why we go through hard times, through trials, well here is one answer. We have them so that our faith (which is worth more than gold!) may be proven genuine, and bring praise, glory, and honour to our Saviour when He is revealed. To me, that is worth suffering for. 

v8
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.

How to get joy?

vs. 13-16
 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. As obedient children, 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; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Here is where we are supposed to set our hope - on the grace brought to us when Jesus Christ is revealed. Sometimes, ya know, I wish I didn't have as strong a conscience...but here we go... do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance (aka did not know the rules, the law, did not have a working conscience). alright then! But He calls us to be holy! How often do I choose to be angry, to stay in a funk because I feel like I deserve it? He calls us to be holy, holy in all we do. Today I challenge myself, and you all, to be holy. When you are faced with a decision, think about whether it is a holy choice you are making. It will not be easy but it will be worth it!

vs.18-19
 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Ponder this. 

v. 21
Through him [Jesus] you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Summary time.

vs. 22-23
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Love one another deeply, from the heart. From the root of yourself, from the One who dwells within you, love one another deeply. Even when you don't feel like it. (except for the fact that this is a fallen world, and therefore world peace is currently (as in not until Jesus returns) not possible, I believe that real, unconditional, self-less love is the key.) Here we get to the re-birth thing, and it elaborates. We have not been born of just any seed, but imperishable seed through the living and enduring word of God. What hope!! 
  
May you set your hope on what is above, being holy today. May you feel encouraged!
love emma

p.s. if y'all liked this I may continue all through 1 Peter? ...cause I really really like that book?