Our Hope In Christ Alone

The new year brings hope: hope of new beginnings, hope of losing weight, hope of staying within the budget, hope of getting a better job ... the list goes on and on. But these hopes aren't the kind Peter wrote about.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

As the body of Peter's letter begins, his words ring true so many hundreds of years later. Just as the early church was shown over-and-above mercy, they were led to bless God in an equally abundant way. Their hope wasn't an ordinary, everyday hope, but a hope that was alive and current. Their hope wasn't tied to anything temporal or worldly, instead being rooted and grounded in the resurrection of Christ.

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:4

No matter how good life on earth is, there is no comparison to eternity in heaven. The hope of everlasting life was a comfort and a motivation to live out God's purpose in this temporary life. That hope was perfect, holy and forever. It was reserved in heavenly places for believers alone, and they could rest in the promise that the best was yet to come.

Now fast forward to today and put yourself into these verses. Our hope today is still in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of everlasting life in His presence. There is nothing in this new year that will compare to the perfection and peace that heaven will give. Yes, new beginnings are great, but it's not enough. Our hope today is that the best is yet to come.

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