Swept Away by Grace-A Study in I Peter part 2—Born Again Into this LIVING HOPE
I Peter 1: “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
photo courtesy of @istockphoto.com
Are you not overwhelmed by the truth of the Gospel of Christ? Is your heart not overflowing with rejoicing over being alive in Christ?
Think of this, we who are dead in our own sin are raised to a new life—we are born again to life eternal with Christ. Are you alive as a Christian or merely existing with a long sour face? Think of this, born again into a living, lively hope. If you do not feel like rejoicing over that truth, then do you really understand the gospel? God chose me, this broken, self-exalting heart that was dead to God. He gave me new birth into His family—the family of the King of the Universe and provided for me the promise of an inheritance in heaven with Him. Why would I ever weep or mourn over trivial losses here on earth? I am alive because He lives. Furthermore my salvation is secured and kept by the power of God. He not only provided the grace that saved me—He has provided the Grace I need today for whatever I face and the Grace that will lead me all the way home. So again, are you ALIVE and living forth Your LIVELY HOPE in Christ Jesus?
Imagine the magnificent joy that arose in Peter’s heart when he realized the truth of Christ’s resurrection and then Christ came to him and called him with the mission to preach the gospel despite his own failures. Peter knew the truth of what was Grace.
Listen to this song. He’s Alive with David Phelps
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
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