The Big Idea
The Big Idea
An Introduction to Be Hopeful
by Ken Baugh
During a British conference on comparative religion, experts had gathered from around the world to debate those things that made the Christian faith unique. Slowly, the experts began eliminating one possibility at a time. Some thought it was the incarnation that made Christianity unique, but as they discussed this, it became evident that there are other religions that claim gods appearing in human form. Some suggested that the resurrection is the only unique element to Christianity, yet as they studied they found accounts in other religions of people returning from the dead. As time passed, the debates grew more heated.
C. S. Lewis, whom many believe to have been one of the greatest Christian thinkers in the twentieth century, strolled in. Lewis had heard the shouting from down the hall, and as he entered the room he asked, “What’s all the rumpus about?” His colleagues told him of their discussions as to what made Christianity unique from the other world religions. Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy, it’s grace.” And after further discussion they finally all agreed.
Grace sets the Christian faith apart from every other world religion. What is grace? Simply put, grace is God’s unmerited favor. You cannot earn grace; you cannot do anything to deserve grace. It is simply God doing something for you with no strings attached. God’s grace is solely motivated by love: deep, abiding, unconditional, sacrificial love. Phillip Yancey puts it this way:
The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist eight-fold path, the Hindu doctrine of karma, the Jewish Covenant, and Muslim’s code of law, each of these offers a way to earn approval. Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional (What’s So Amazing About Grace, 45).
But just because grace is free does not mean that it is cheap. Grace may not cost you and me anything, but it cost Jesus His life. Jesus came to earth over two thousand years ago. As God in human flesh, He lived the perfect life and then died on a cross to pay the price for your sin and mine. We deserved to hang on that cross, not Jesus. It was our sin that separated us from a holy and righteous God, our sin that made us guilty and deserving of spending eternity in hell. But because Jesus loves you and me so much, He had mercy on us and took the death sentence upon Himself that we so rightly deserved. That’s grace. And because of God’s grace there is hope both for today and the rest of eternity. Living in this hope is the Big Idea throughout the letter of 1 Peter.
Of all the disciples, I believe that Peter understood the grace of God the most because Peter denied knowing Jesus not once, not twice, but three times. Peter thought he loved Jesus enough to die for Him, but when that love was tested and Peter was accused of being one of Jesus’ disciples, he failed and denied knowing Him. Jesus had warned Peter that this would happen: “‘Today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.’ But Peter insisted emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you’” (Mark 14:29–31 NIV).
Even though Peter did love Jesus, and even though he intended to stand firm in the face of persecution, he denied his Lord just as Jesus said he would. But in the midst of Peter’s great failure, he experienced the amazing grace of God. There is an interesting detail found only in Luke’s account of Peter’s betrayal of Jesus. It’s found in Luke 22:61 (NIV): “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” What do you think was in that look? What if you had been in Jesus’ sandals; how would you have looked at Peter? Would it have been a look of hurt or anger? Would you have given Peter the evil eye and said, “Peter how could you? How could you do this to me?” All of these would be natural responses, and if Jesus had looked at Peter that way, who would have blamed Him?
But here’s the interesting thing: None of these natural responses were in the look that Jesus gave to Peter. The Greek word for “looked” in this verse carries the idea of interest, love, or concern. Jesus didn’t look at Peter with disdain but with grace. It was like Jesus was saying: “Peter, I love you, and I’m concerned about you, because I know how broken you are going to feel now that you have rejected me.” Peter denied his Lord, but later Peter experienced God’s grace.
For the last few years, I have participated in leading a tour to the Holy Land. One of my favorite spots on our tour is Mensa Christi, where Jesus restored Peter and commissioned him to full-time ministry. It is a powerful experience to sit there on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and listen to the water as it laps on the sand, feeling the sun on your face, knowing that at this very spot, some two thousand years ago, Peter experienced the amazing grace of God as Jesus restored him three times for each of his three denials. That day changed Peter’s life forever from a hardened blue-collar fisherman into an ambassador of God’s grace. And I believe as Peter penned the words of this first letter bearing his name, his intent inspired by the Holy Spirit was for every disciple who reads these words to experience the hope that comes through God’s grace. As such, I believe that every follower of Jesus Christ can live every moment of every day with hope if they remember three important truths.
Truth 1: This earth is not my home; my home is in heaven. Peter reminds us over and over again throughout this letter that we are “strangers in the world” (1 Peter 1:1 NIV), that this life is not all there is. There is so much more to come, and when we receive God’s grace of forgiveness for sin through Jesus’ death on the cross, we can be assured of a home in heaven. Jesus took six days to create the world (Ex. 31:17; Col. 1:16–17), and there are some beautiful and amazing places in it, but imagine what heaven is going to be like! When I remember how amazing eternal life in the Father’s presence is going to be, it enables me to endure whatever may come my way in this life.
Truth 2: God uses adversity in this life to strengthen my faith. Peter reminds us that we will suffer “grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6 NIV), yet we can still have hope, because God never wastes a hurt. He uses them all in a supernatural way to strengthen our faith, which is more important to God than the purest gold (1:7). In fact, the writer of Hebrews emphasizes the value of our faith: “Without faith, it’s impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6). Nothing that happens in your life happens without God’s consent. He is not the author of evil, but He allows evil in our lives, and then He supernaturally uses the suffering that comes from evil to shape us into men and women who bring Him glory.
The people to whom Peter wrote this letter were believers experiencing severe persecution under the reign of Roman Emperor Nero. Nero was a total psycho and afflicted these believers with horrendous acts of evil. Nero put women and children into the Coliseum for sport to be torn apart by lions. He impaled believers on stakes and burned them as human torches to light up his decadent evening parties. In fact, not long after Peter wrote his second letter, Nero had him crucified upside down. And yet, even in the face of great persecution, Peter encouraged his readers to stand firm in their hope in Christ, knowing their faith was being purified and bringing great honor and glory to God. Let us maintain the same perspective in the midst of our own adversity.
Truth 3: The end of all things is near. Because the end is near, Peter admonishes us to live each day being intentional about our witness to unbelievers (1 Peter 3:15–16) and our love toward believers (4:8–10). My friend, you are going to live for eternity, not in this world but in heaven. Therefore, everything you do in this life will echo throughout eternity, bringing God glory and storing up for you treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:19–20).
These truths that Peter reminds us of throughout this letter should act as a powerful source of hope every day of your life. You have so much to be grateful for through God’s grace of forgiveness and the hope this establishes for you for the rest of eternity. In light of all of God’s amazing grace, how can we do anything but praise and worship Him? My prayer for you as you read through this commentary is that you will remember these three important truths and carry with you every day the hope of God’s presence, knowing that He is preparing a wonderful place for you in heaven.
***
Dr. Wiersbe’s commentaries have been a source of guidance and strength to me over the many years that I have been a pastor. His unique style is not overly academic, but theologically sound. He explains the deep truths of Scripture in a way that everyone can understand and apply. Whether you’re a Bible scholar or a brand-new believer in Christ, you will benefit, as I have, from Warren’s insights. With your Bible in one hand and Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary in the other, you will be able to accurately unpack the deep truths of God’s Word and learn how to apply them to your life.
Drink deeply, my friend, of the truths of God’s Word, for in them you will find Jesus Christ, and there is freedom, peace, assurance, and joy.
—Ken Baugh
Pastor of Coast Hills Community Church
Aliso Viejo, California