Notes of Faith January 17, 2025
Living Hope
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3
Though the phrase “born again” does not occur in the Old Testament, the idea of rebirth does in various ways. Humanity was “reborn” after the Flood. Abraham figuratively received his son Isaac back from the dead. Jacob was given a new life after wrestling with God. But none of these many figurative examples are the same as the way Jesus used the phrase.
Jesus said we must be spiritually born again in order to enter God’s Kingdom
(John 3:3). Peter said that God has “begotten us [given us a new birth] again to a living hope.” Why a living hope? Because our new birth to eternal life is based in the “resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” What hope does a person have who dies outside of Christ? None. But faith in the resurrected Christ—the Christ who conquered death—gives us “living hope.”
The Christian’s hope extends beyond the grave. Give thanks to God today that you have been born again to a living hope.
If you are never born again, you will wish you had never been born at all.
J. C. Ryle
What a quote! There is no reason for living than knowing and having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Even those who don’t seem to like us because of the color of our skin, our “body parts”, our political party affiliation, speech accent, and many more, NEED Jesus! We must be imitators of Christ, forgive those who rant and rail against us, pray for the Holy Spirit to invade their hearts, that they might come to the truth of God and His desire for them. Let us spend the rest of our days on earth striving to live a life pleasing to God, encouraging others, lifting up others, sacrificing our own needs and desires that God might be honored and glorified. Heavenly Father, please continue to pour out your grace, love, and mercy, that we might live for you every day that you give us!
Pastor Dale