Peter's Testimony Revealed - 1 Peter START

Peter had a testimony. Of course you only get a testimony when God has delivered youfrom the things that could have or would have otherwise overwhelmed you.

Look at how he opens his letter:
1 Peter 1:3–5 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

"We are born again" - sounds like a second chance.  And this from the man who knew a lot about second chances.

"To a living hope." - Hope not settled in us or on paper, but a living hope.  A hope that has wings and substance to it.  Not wishful thinking.  It's hope inside you.  Hope that affects you and carries you and produces in you the ability to withstand obstacles that come at you.

"through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

That's the part I want to focus on.  The resurrection means we have a living hope that saves us from this world, the deterioration of life, the mistakes of our past and the obstacles in our present.  

Peter knew first hand the power of the resurrection. 

You remember his final words before Christ went to the cross.  "Even if I have to die with you, I'll never disown you." And just hours later, the exact opposite and overwhelming tears.  The scriptures say he went out and "wept bitterly."  That would be the last thing his Lord would remember?  A broken promise and a failed test three times before people of almost no account?  Would that be the testimony of his life, the biography of his days?

NOPE.

Jesus rose.  And he made sure to grab Peter's attention through the angel in Mark 16:7 and again on the shores in John 21.  He was alive again and the event of reuniting with Jesus was made available - living HOPE had come through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I think about how people affect us so deeply.  Especially people of like faith.  And then, death happens.  They are gone.  But not forever.  Not forever because of Christ.  We have hope beyond the grave and this life is practice.  Thank God!  He's the Lord of the ultimate second chance.

PRAYER:

Father, you have already given me more chances than I deserve.  You are the source of my life and the testimony of my history.  Apart from you I could do nothing.  Make this more clear to me than ever.  I want to grow in my knowledge of this living hope.  I want to live with no regrets.  I don't want to let you down.  I want to please you.  I ask you for the power of the resurrection to ignite in my life and mind.  To follow you without reservation.  Your grace is enough.