From Suffering to Salvation: 1 Peter

Do you ever think about eternity? As a little kid, I used to lie awake at

night, thinking about what it would be like to live forever and ever and

everwith no end. An eternal life with God! There was no way to wrap my

mind around the idea. No matter how many zeroes I put on the end of the

number of years, it would still be just a beginning to eternity.

This is the perspective that the apostle Peter wanted his readers to have

when they read his letter to themwe now call this letter 1 Peter. In it,

Peter is writing to believers in the early church during a time of

suffering and persecution. Although he addresses their suffering in much of

the letter, Peter wants them to remember their living hope, their eternal

salvation and their inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade…kept

in heaven (1:3-4). The little while that believers have to suffer grief

in all kinds of trials (1:6) cannot be compared to the eternal salvation

that awaits God’s children. Jesus will return and unite heaven and earth,

and everyone who has put their trust in Jesus will live and reign with Him

forever. Even now we can be filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy

(1:8) as we rest in Jesus’s love for us and anticipate eternity with Him.

Peter also reminds his readers they are a chosen people, a royal

priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession (2:9). He encourages

them to remember that, even if they suffer for doing good, ultimately they

will be blessed for doing what is right. Since the end of all things is

near (4:7), believers should live self-controlled lives that are marked by

prayer. Above all, love each other deeply, Peter urges, because love

covers over a multitude of sins (4:8).

Suffering is temporary. Our salvation in Christ is for all eternity! These

themes in 1 Peter have encouraged believers ever since he wrote them two

thousand years ago. Laura N. Sweet

Have you ever stopped to really think about eternity? What amazes you the

most about eternal life with Christwhich is promised to everyone who has

put their trust in Jesus, believing He died on the cross and rose from the

grave for us?

When we are going through hard times, why might it be helpful to remember

that our suffering will only last a little while compared to living forever

with Jesus in renewed creation? How might looking forward to Jesus’s return

affect the way we live now?

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the

resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

Read Verses:

1 Peter 3:13-1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 4:7-1 Peter 4:8; 1 Peter 1:3-1 Peter 1:9