1 Peter 1:3-12 (NRSV)
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Verse 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, Verse 4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, Verse 5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Verse 6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, Verse 7so that the genuineness of your faith-being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Verse 8Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, Verse 9for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Verse 10Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, Verse 11inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. Verse 12It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-things into which angels long to look!
Devotion
Someone once told me the words of these verses were so contradictory they should self-destruct right on the page. “We have been born anew to a living hope … and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.”
He asked me, “Which is it? Are we born just to 'hope' not really knowing—simply trusting? Or are we born into a place of confidence—like money in the bank, a sure inheritance with lots of solid descriptors? Which is it? Hope or confidence?”… I had no answer but “yes.”
Prayer
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our creeds about you begin not with “I know,” but with “I believe.” Give us the ability to live in the “yes” of that. Amen.