Digging Deeper Days
Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
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The Questions
1) What is “living hope?”
2) Do all believers suffer trials?
3) What is the “salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time?” Is it different than the salvation experienced at the acceptance of Christ’s death for one’s sins?
1 Peter 1:3-9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Original Intent
1) What is “living hope?”
The first-century Jews and Gentiles to whom Peter wrote were no doubt hoping that Jesus would vindicate them. They suffered for their faith socially and economically, some were even tortured and killed, and they likely hoped that someone in a position of power would identify with them and stop the persecution.
But they had an even greater hope. They hoped in Jesus for eternity in heaven. Jesus IS the living hope…He lives even though He died (Luke 24:1-7). Jesus is the Son of God; believers are sons and daughters of God. Since Jesus overcame death, so will those who have accepted Him as Lord and Savior.
2) Do all believers suffer trials?
Verse 6 in this version of Scripture is somewhat confusing. It seems to imply that some Christians will go through life without any suffering if it isn’t necessary for them. But what is the object of the suffering and trials? Is it not patience, perseverance, and a greater faith in God? Therefore, isn’t suffering necessary for every follower of Jesus Christ? No one has perfected Christianity, so God continues to mold us by these means. Peter was here using a literary device, used elsewhere in Scripture by the apostle Paul. He understated something in order to make a very obvious point. In our language, a simple example could be, “You’ll only need to eat today if you get hungry.” Of course, you will be hungry if you go without food all day! It’s an obvious truth stated to make a specific point: you need food. In the same way, God uses suffering to produces “endurance, character, and hope” (Romans 5:3-5)
3) What is the “salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time?” Is it different than the salvation experienced at the acceptance of Christ’s death for one’s sins?
There is only one salvation, that which is a gift freely given by God through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, on the cross. In the “last time,” at the return of Christ, believers will experience the full significance of salvation (as noted by The Bible Knowledge Commentary). When we come face-to-face with the One who died to save us, we will finally understand the price He paid and the genuine love He has for each of us. The full circle of salvation will be complete.
Everyday Application
1) What is “living hope?”
In this earthly life we hope for a lot of things. Small things, like a good grade on a test, or all the lights on our commute to be green. And big things, like enough money to pay bills, or a loved one’s health to be restored.
This “living hope” is different. It’s often referred to as “a confident expectation.” Jesus said He would prepare a place for each of us in His Father’s house, which is heaven, and come back to take us there (John 14:2-3). He also said several times He would die on a cross and rise again, and He did! (Matthew 16:21; Luke 18:32-34; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5) If He can do that, then He can take us to Heaven! We don’t know when He’s coming, but dear sisters, we can expect with all confidence that He is coming!
“For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.” (I Thessalonians 5:9-10 (NLT))
2) Do all believers suffer trials?
I don’t personally know any Christians who haven’t suffered some trial in their life. Do you? We live in a fallen, sinful world…I guarantee that each person, believer or not, has suffered hardship. Christians are not exempt from this. The difference is, sweet sisters, that you and I have the teaching from Scripture to understand truth about suffering’s purpose, and we have the Holy Spirit constantly at work in our lives to redeem hardship, using it to develop our character and forming Christ within us. We can either pout about our circumstances or accept them as a tool in the hand of the Potter to craft us. (Admittedly, too often I pout. Prayers appreciated.)
3) What is the “salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time?” Is it different than the salvation experienced at the acceptance of Christ’s death for one’s sins?
Do you ever think about how valuable you are to God?
If you’ve experienced any type of mental or emotional abuse, like I have, it may be difficult to believe that anyone – even God – would possibly care. But dear one, He cares infinitely for you! Don’t allow the lies of the enemy to lead you to believe you are beneath the love of the Almighty. If you were the only person on earth, Jesus still would have gone to the cross for you! God loves you, and longs for you to know Him and love Him too.
Take time this week to reflect on God’s love for you. If you are worth dying for, isn’t He worth living for?
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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!
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Why Dig Deeper?
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Study Tools
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
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