Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
This verse brings a lot of gospel clarity. We come to God through Christ. Peter says, through Christ, we trust in God. That means that Jesus is not a mere part of this or some side issue in the Christian faith. No, Jesus is the way that sinners like you and me come to believe and trust and have relationship with God.
That's why Jesus said of Himself in John chapter 14, verse 6: "I am the way, I am the truth, and I am the life."
More Specific Than General Belief
A lot of people, especially near where I live, talk about believing in God. Many people say, "I believe in God." It's very general. Here, Peter gets to the Gospel. He's much more specific. We come to God. We believe in God through Christ, through His death and through His resurrection.
The Christian does not move around Jesus or move past Jesus in order to get to God. No, Jesus is the one. He is the way. He is the mediator. He is our way to relationship with God.
Why Our Faith and Hope Are in God
Then Peter tells us why our faith and hope are in God. He says, "Because God raised Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory."
This is not some wishful thinking that we have as Christians—something that we hope and wish were true. No, our faith is grounded in something that has been accomplished. It has happened. God did, in fact, raise Jesus from the dead.
Understanding Biblical Hope
This is a difference in how the Bible uses the word hope, and frankly, how the word hope was used in the first century when the New Testament was being written. Hope in the West, for many of us, is used differently.
We might use the word "hope" in regards to an uncertain future. Like, I hope the Patriots win this weekend. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow. It's what we wish would happen, but we're not really sure. That is not biblical hope. That's not how the Bible uses the word hope.
Hope in Scripture means it is regarding a certain future. Our hope is in Christ. Jesus has died. Jesus has been raised from the dead. Jesus is at the right hand of the Father, and Jesus will return and bring His people home. It is a fact, and our hope is in it.
Christ Died Our Death
Sinclair Ferguson said, "Christ died our death, and now in His resurrection, He continues to wear our nature forever, and in it He lives for us before the face of God."
That is why believers—why we—can have hope. The one who died for us now lives for us. The one who bore our sin right now lives in glory.
When Your Faith is Weak
This verse I think is especially helpful when our faith is weak, when our faith is struggling, when our faith feels small. When that happens, Peter does not tell you to focus on your faith. He doesn't tell you to stare at your faith. He doesn't ask you to just strengthen your faith.
He points you to the object of your faith. He points us to Christ—Christ who has been raised and glorified. The strength of saving faith is not found in the intensity of our faith. It is found in the object of our faith, who is Jesus Christ.
Look Away from Yourself
If you're discouraged today or in the days to come, I encourage you to look away from yourself and look to the risen Christ. The grave is empty. Christ has been glorified.
Therefore, our faith in God, our hope in God, is not misplaced. Rest there. Build your life there. Return there over and over again.
