Reveal Day 14 We Have This Hope: Digging Deeper

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!
The Questions
1 Peter 1:3-6
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.
Original Intent
1) What is the “new birth” Peter refers to in verse 3?
This isn’t the first time in Scripture a new birth is mentioned. Jesus and Nicodemus discuss this very subject when Nicodemus visits Jesus in the night in John 3. Peter is referring to salvation and becoming reborn when we become believers. It is the same concept Paul writes about to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 5:17 where he reminds the believers there they are a new creation in Christ. Peter is reminding his audience that, when they accept the salvation Jesus offers, they are a new creation in Him. They have now been included into God’s family.
2) What is the “inheritance that is… kept in heaven” in verse 4?
Inheritance is not a new tradition. In the ancient days of Israel, inheritance was bestowed to a father’s sons upon his death. It consisted of all that belonged to the father including his land. The eldest son typically received the greater portion while all other sons received a smaller portion. God had also promised the Israelites the inheritance of the Promised Land; a gift He bestowed on them as His chosen people. Peter is using Israel’s common understanding of an inheritance to remind his audience of an eternal, incorruptible inheritance promised to all believers whether Jew or Gentile. Jesus spoke of a treasure stored up in heaven where moth and rust will not destroy (Matthew 6:19-20) and Paul spoke of an inheritance in several of his letters. Peter is referring to this same inheritance that will never fade. (For more in depth study on this incredible inheritance, check out the Journey Theme, Incorruptible!)
3) Why does Peter tell his readers to “rejoice” in spite of “suffering grief in trials”? (verse 6)
Rejoicing while suffering trials sounds absurd. However, that is exactly what Peter intentionally writes. To understand it fully, we must keep reading. Peter is clear that suffering reveals a character only found in Christ, a character that shows an unbelieving world what only Jesus can do in spite of terrible trial. Peter wrote as one who knew suffering well. He walked through the three days before Jesus rose fully knowing that in Christ’s last moments he had betrayed Jesus. Although Peter preached a strong message, it was a message which met opposition along the way. Peter suffered many trials, eventually giving his life, for the sake of the Gospel so that an unbelieving world would have the opportunity to know Jesus.
Everyday Application
1) What is the “new birth” Peter refers to in verse 3?
When we accept the salvation offered through Jesus’ sacrifice we become a new creation. We are born into the family of God and forever have a place within it. Peter is referring to this as he writes about a new birth. Just as we were born into our earthly family the day we were physically born; the day we choose to place our faith in Jesus, we are born into God’s family. This new birth solidifies us as heirs with Christ. In his book, “The Knowledge of the Holy”, theologian A.W. Tozer explains, “Self is so subtle that scarcely anyone is conscious of its presence. Because man is born a rebel (to God), he is unaware that he is one. His constant assertion of self, as far as he thinks of it at all, appears to him a perfectly normal thing. He is willing to share himself, sometimes even to sacrifice himself for a desired end, but never to dethrone himself.” When we are willing to allow Christ to remove ourselves off the throne of our lives, giving Him rule and reign, we are reborn with His nature instead of our selfish one.
2) What is the “inheritance that is… kept in heaven” in verse 4?
An inheritance is bestowed on a member of the family when someone else dies. Even today the idea of an inheritance is familiar. Peter is writing not of an earthly inheritance but a heavenly one; this coming reward will surpass all sin, death, and even suffering in this world. The inheritance available through Christ is guaranteed to us when we become members of God’s family at the moment of salvation. If we trust in the work Jesus did to die in our place, taking the punishment for our sin upon Himself once and for all, we are welcomed as His and given His own great reward as our inheritance. It will outlast this world because it is founded in our relationship with Jesus, who beat death and conquered the grave, and therefore it’s an inheritance which is kept in heaven with the promise of our receiving it for eternity. Take heart! Christ has overcome the grave and gives Himself to you for now and for eternity if you take Him as your own!
3) Why does Peter tell his readers to “rejoice” in spite of “suffering grief in trials”? (verse 6)
Peter knew what facing trials felt like. Yet, time and again he chose to continue forward in the mission of the gospel, rejoicing in the Lord for what He had done and continued to do. Our lives are not promised to be free of suffering or trials. However, just as Peter could rejoice so can we! As believers, we have a hope found in Christ that is a gift like nothing the unbelieving world knows. When we choose to rejoice in Him regardless of our circumstances, we look different than those of this world who haven’t experienced the rebirth of Christ. While we live in this world, we are no longer of this world because we have a hope in what is to come. We know the end of the story, and we know the joy of knowing Jesus. Therefore, regardless of our circumstances we can choose to live in the hope promised to us and rejoice even when we walk through suffering and trials just like Peter.
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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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