1 Peter 3:13-22

1. The idea that we should live a life free of struggle is a relatively recent one. We should expect to have trials and challenges. How we respond to these reveals our character and our values. If we are Christians, our responses should be like Jesus. Jesus did not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. He did not fear those who would try to kill him, and did not waver in doing good. His conscience was clear. How do we respond to those who challenge us or treat us wrongly? What was the example of Jesus when facing suffering?

   1. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him.” – Isaiah 53:3

2. Hope in Christ is different from the world’s hope. When we say ‘hope’ today, we usually mean, ‘I wish.’ Our hope in Christ is based on the truth that he came to earth for us, lived a perfect life, died, was resurrected and that we will see him again. Our hope is based on truth and life. We have confidence in our salvation, which influences our life for the good. The world does not have this. Those who do not believe generally think this life is all they have. Sharing our reason for hope is one of the most powerful messages we can send to the world. They should know why we are hopeful. When I talk about my life, do I understand that I have a completely different view of what will happen after this temporary bodily life? Are there people I am in contact with who need to hear the hope of Jesus?

   1. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

3. Our hope and salvation hinge on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Verse 21 says that we are saved by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is impossible to overstate the importance of this single most important event in human history. Stop now and consider that Jesus was dead and buried, then was resurrected. Through his rebirth, he displayed his authority over death and sin, proclaimed eternal victory over the powers of darkness, and made it possible for us to be reconciled to God. Praise the Lord for this truth! Without the resurrection, Christianity doesn’t exist. Because of this, we have confidence that we will also be resurrected in the last days. This is the core truth that changes our lives today and our future with him. How should the resurrection of Jesus impact our daily life? What hope do people have without belief in the resurrection?

   1. “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.” –  Romans 8:11

For Further Study:
Read Psalm 16. This Psalm of David reminds us of our protection in the Lord.

For Prayer:
Pray for peace in the lead-up to the election. Pray that believers will choose love over discord as we seek to glorify God and make him known.