“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 His resurrection from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

Our hope is living. The Living Bible says: “Now we live in the hope of eternal life.” Christianity is more than a hope for the future, it is a life to be lived now, today! Jesus said: “I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) Hope is not just for the future, but for today. Today is the day of Salvation, now is the time to live life at its best.

Our hope is in the new birth. “In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope.” (1 Pet. 1:3). We are born again to a new life. “Old things have passed away… All things are made new.” (2 Cor. 5:17). There is no guilt of the past, no sins to bind us. We have been raised to walk in a new life; our sanctification is an ongoing process. We are forgiven daily as we walk in the light, as we acknowledge our sins. “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin… If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7).

Our hope is in heaven. Jesus promised, have faith in Me: “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Paul tells us that if our hope is in this (earthly) life only, then we are of all men the most miserable. Our hope includes eternal life with God, Jesus, the angels, the saved of ages past and those we love. Our hope is in a life without pain, tears, death or decay.

Our hope is guaranteed by His resurrection. “Through Him you believe in God, Who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” (1 Pet. 1:21). Paul makes the point that if Jesus is raised, so will we; He, as the first fruits, then us. His sitting at the right hand of God in Glory solidifies our hope and guarantees our inheritance. If God kept His promises to His only begotten Son, He will reward us as joint heirs with Jesus, because He has promised.

Is the Christian hope ours? Have we responded to the good news of the Gospel? Have we been born again of water and spirit? Have we crucified the man of sin and been washed by his blood? Are we being cleansed moment-by-moment by walking in the light of his truth? Avail yourself of Christian peace, hope, and joy, today.

Randall Caselman Bella Vista church of Christ Bentonville, AR