1 Peter 1:1-12

“Hope Comes in Salvation”

By Pastor Rich Paradis

1 Peter 1:1-12

Peter is writing a letter to people that are going through difficult times. They are not only going through difficult times, they are going through them in a place that is somewhat unfamiliar to them. They are not presently going through the atrocities that will be in the near future under the hand of Emperor Nero, but they are going through difficulties that are real and present in their day to day lives. This social and religious persecution is not just difficult things in their lives; it is a difficult life because of their allegiance to Christ. What will Peter write to them that will make a difference?

I.                 The Writer and the Addressees    1 Peter 1:1-2

a.      While some have noted the quality of the Greek used in the letter as a possible proof that Peter didn’t write this letter, the letter itself in Verse 1 gives us the writer. His name is Peter, the apostle Peter that was an early follower amongst the apostles of the Lord Jesus. He is known to be impulsive and sometimes loud-mouthed, but here he will live up to his reputation as the Apostle of Hope. 1 and 2 Peter are the two letters that bear his name in our New Testament, and hope will be themes in both of them.

b.     The addressees are a “scattered” group” of believers, both Jew and Gentile, that are away from home due to persecution and a dispersion from their homeland. They are now living somewhere between 500-800 miles from home. The five names that are mentioned are Roman provinces in modern-day Turkey.

c.      But it is also interesting to note that these people are “aliens”, strangers, foreigners, and pilgrims to the places that they are living. This has the idea of geography, as well as mindset and custom. They are not only “aliens” because they are not in their home towns or country. They are also “aliens” because they are believers. Their home has now been secured in heaven. That is their home and their comfort. They are not there yet though, and times are tough.

d.     The end of Verse 1 takes us right into Verse 2 where some incredible theology and affirmation is coming from the pen of Peter. Verse 1 ends with the word “chosen” or “elect”. These are salvation words, and Peter will use salvation as the first affirmation and encouragement to these that are currently suffering for their faith. While Peter is not trying to unpack the entire doctrine of foreknowledge and election, he is trying to share with his readers that God has had them in mind from eternity past. And if He has had them in mind from eternity past, He still has them in mind as they go through difficulties for their faith.

e.      There are some great terms in this verse that are worth looking at:

                                                    i.     The foreknowledge of God – This is not that God has known from eternity past who would choose Him. It is the fact that in eternity past, He chose them. Our salvation is not something that we merit or that we will even choose in our wisdom somewhere along our lives. His foreknowledge, which is not able to be completely understood, is the fact that He chose us because of His love and His grace. While difficult to understand, it is great news that can help sustain us in our most difficult times.

                                                  ii.     The sanctifying work of the Spirit – It is great to know that the blessed Holy Spirit is helping us in our maturity and our growth towards God. The believer will spend his or her entire life relinquishing more and more of the ownership of their life to Christ through the sanctifying work of the Spirit.

                                                iii.     Obedience to Christ – This is the evidence of the Spirit’s work in the life of the believer. While obedience to Christ is not the means of our salvation, it is without question the evidence of it. The trend line of our obedience should and will go up as we understand more and more of the saving work that was accomplished for us at Calvary. The “sprinkling of His blood” is reminiscent of the Old Testament system of sacrifice, but in this context demonstrates the benefits of Christ’s redemption that are being applied to His people.

f.      As this introductory section concludes, we have Peter offering “grace and  peace” to those that are following Christ and being obedient to Him, even as difficulty has stricken their lives.

g.     We must remember as a rule of Bible reading and understanding to consider both the beginnings and the endings of the book or letter that is under consideration. These two places are often full of helpful insights to the understanding of the entirety of the writing. This work of the entire Triune Godhead in salvation will be a major contribution made by Peter to the way to travel through difficult times in both the lives of those to whom he is currently writing and to those of us that will consider this letter and its application in our own lives.

II.               A Prayer of Thanksgiving   1 Peter 1:3-5

a.      As Peter continues the thoughts from above, he can do nothing more at this point in his letter than pray a prayer of thanksgiving to the One who has made this salvation possible. Verse 3 begins with blessing, glory and praise, being offered to God the Father who has made salvation possible in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ.

b.     It was not and continues to not be our merit or activities and obedience that makes salvation and sanctification a possibility; it is the Father’s mercy. The verse says that it is this mercy that caused us to be born again. What are we being “born again” to? The verse tells us that it is a “living hope”. And what is it that makes it a living hope? The verse again doesn’t make us guess. It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ that offers us a living hope.

c.      This living hope is the only hope that we have in times of extreme difficulty. And the only One that can provide a living hope is One who is alive! Hope is not just wishful thinking. It is something that, if it is to last and work, must be based on something bigger and better than our best efforts and positive thinking.

d.     What will be the result of this salvation that provides us with a “living hope” during our most difficult days? Verse 4 tells that we will obtain an “inheritance”. This kind of talk is very family-ish and speaks to the fact that in salvation we are made heirs of the One who has adopted us. That is an incredible lesson for another day, but what are the characteristics of this inheritance?

                                                    i.     It is imperishable – It won’t die. It will not decay in either its essence or its continuance.

                                                  ii.     It is undefiled – It is unsoiled, that is, pure.

                                                iii.     It will not fade away – It will have clarity and quality at all times, especially the times when you might expect it to go away.

                                                iv.     It is reserved in heaven for you – It is divinely kept for us.

e.      What else is available to the one that is going through difficulty? Verse 5 tells us that this inheritance is protected by the power of God. Wow!! It is not protected by our power and I’m glad, aren’t you? This verse is a two-sided coin in that our inheritance and its perseverance is protected by the power of God and through our own faith. We, in fact, can have a solidifying effect in our lives as we demonstrate faith in the One who is protecting our inheritance from corruption or loss.

f.      What an incredible prayer to God and reminder for those that are suffering and being addressed with this letter. But also what a reminder of the place that our salvation and our faith in God has during times of difficulty and even outright persecution.

III.             The Place and the Purpose of Trials    1 Peter 1:6-9

a.      With the provision for trials and persecution noted in the above verses, Peter now moves on to discuss the place of trials in our lives. He reminds us again as Verse 6 opens of the great rejoicing that should accompany the knowledge of the truths articulated in the first paragraph of his letter.

b.     Now, in Verses 6b-9, Peter will share with his readers some important truths about persecution and trials. These truths will serve us and can help us to move forward in the fact of our salvation and can even lead to joy in their midst.

                                                    i.     Trials are not forever – Look at Verse 6. It says that “for a little while” trials may come upon you. In light of eternity and the considering the eternality of salvation, any trials that come our way are just temporary.

                                                  ii.     Trials are sometimes necessary – Again, look at Verse 6. It says that “if necessary” trials sometimes come into our lives. Why would trials come into the lives of people that love Him? Sometimes they protect us from a trajectory of sin that we are moving on. Sometimes they remind us of our need for Him. Sometimes they are the results of the Fall and its consequences. There can be many reasons for the necessity of trials. While we do not always know the reasons why, we must trust God and His goodness in allowing them to come our way.

                                                iii.     There are lots of kinds of trials – One more look at Verse 6. It speaks of “various trials”. There are lots of different types of trials, but only one true and lasting solution to making it through them!

                                                iv.     Trials can prove our faith – Look at Verse 7. Many things are “tested” to prove their strength and their authenticity. In a similar way, difficult times can offer, like nothing else, a clear reading on our trust and our faith in Jesus Christ. This was the way that gold was purified and prepared for usage. The fire was turned up and the dross was scraped away.

                                                  v.     Trials can even bring praise, glory, and honor to Christ – Again, look at Verse 7. Ultimately, trials and difficulty along with the provision and the help of our Savior will bring glory to His name!

                                                vi.     Trials help us to love and believe in Him – Look at Verse 8. Our trials can offer incredible opportunities, properly considered, to learn more about Him which will result in more love and belief in Him.

                                              vii.     Trials can produce joy – Look at Verse 8. I didn’t say happiness! Joy is that unique sense that a believer in Christ can have even during the most difficult of times. It is based not on circumstances, but on truth and provision.

                                            viii.     Trials will not have the final word – Look at Verse 9. Even with the difficulty of trials and the beating that they sometimes put on the believer, they will not win in the end! The outcome of our faith in trials is the salvation of our souls. God does this, but our faith in the finished work of Christ at the Cross and His resurrection is the ultimate road to recovery from the trials that come into our lives.

IV.            Salvation Under Consideration    1 Peter 1:10-12

a.      So, how did this work before the earthly ministry of Christ? Verses 10-11 tell us that the idea and the reality of salvation has been something that has been considered and longed for from the time of the prophets. They were in fact so interested and desirous of the knowledge of this incredible provision that they made “careful searches and inquiries” into it. They, through revelation and inspiration were able to consider a grace that would not be fully realized in their lifetimes.

b.     The next verse, Verse 12, tells us that they even realized that they were not serving themselves with all of their searches and inquiries. They were serving us! The ones that faithfully teach us and preach to us are a reminder of the announcements and the work of the prophets before them. And this type of preaching and teaching is empowered and resourced by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven to inhabit, comfort and assist the one that faithfully trusts in God for his salvation and his help.

c.      There is an interesting last few words to this section. The text says that these things related to salvation are things that even the angels long to look at. Is this true? Is it true that the angels are interested in the provision of God through Jesus Christ for the salvation of those that by faith call upon His name? Look at Luke 15:10. It says that the angels rejoice over one sinner that repents. WOW!!!

V.              An Application For All Of Us

a.      Those that are going through times of difficulty because of their faith have the fact of their salvation in Christ to help them through.

b.     Trials can and do serve a purpose in the life of a believer.

c.      The prophets of old and even the angels were and are interested in the salvation and the faith of men and women of all ages.