Inspiration: Live Now in Light of the Ultimate End of All Things

Insights from Sunday Bible Study, 3/29/20

1 Peter 1:3-9

³ 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. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

In Matthew 25 and other passages, Jesus indicates that we should live our entire lives with the Ultimate End in view. In this passage, St. Peter indicates at least four major ways that living life in light of the end transforms life in the present:

1. God is preparing an unfading inheritance for us. This inspires hope and faith in the present: faith that secures salvation, and hope gives us confidence in the future, no matter what.
2. God himself is “guarding” our faith in the present, so that we arrive at what God has promised.
3. Though not good in themselves, trials and sufferings “test” that most valuable faith in a way that ultimately makes it STRONGER if we continue to turn to God. (What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?!)
4. These tests come *so that* our faith may be found to result in praise and glory to God when the End finally comes. So every time we cling to God in faith, during COVID or whenever, we allow God to create in us a moment of lasting significance that will make the “heavenly highlight reel” and glorify him before the whole world!

How can YOU trust and hope in God, grow stronger through trials, and create a moment for the “heavenly highlight reel” right where you are, today?