Mission in Light of the Resurrection

1 Peter 1:3–7

Ever had to abandon a plan halfway through? I once attempted to produce a video for a church event. After days of planning, preparing and filming with a friend, we began the editing process. But after some time, the computer began to struggle. It had been processing things wrong and couldn’t handle the files any more. We couldn’t even move them to another device. We had to abandon the whole project.

God has the victory

Praise God that nothing thwarts His plans! Praise Him, because even though Good Friday brought atonement through the sprinkling of blood, it was not the climax. Praise Him, because according to His abundant mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!

We are not left guessing whether our salvation will be accomplished; we are waiting for it to be revealed. We are not left hoping that Jesus will be raised from the dead; we are waiting for Him to return in glory!

God protects our inheritance

We have new birth into a living hope, and into an incredible inheritance which is shared with Christ. All He has is ours, and Christ is the heir of all things (Heb. 1:2); of everything that God has made and done; of everything that God is. His love, his peace, his justice, his righteousness, his wisdom, His comfort, His glory… they are all ours in Christ!

And we need not fear losing this inheritance. It is not kept in a storage container which can be broken into or on a hard drive which can become corrupted. It is kept in heaven for you!

God protects His people

Are you ever tempted to question your salvation? Perhaps when sin lingers or self–doubt sets in? Or perhaps when opposition triggers feelings of insecurity? Many of God’s people in Asia face a great cost for following Christ, and we are not immune from hostility either. But just as your inheritance is kept in heaven for you, you are kept for it! You are shielded by God’s power (verse 5).

When you face words of scorn or abuse, God’s power which spoke the world into existence shields you. When you’re swimming against the secular tide at work or among your community, God’s power which parted the Red Sea shields you. If you face physical abuse, God’s power which made the leper walk and the blind man see will shield you.

Even if you are killed for your faith in Christ, then God’s power which raised Jesus from the dead will be the power which shields you.