Anchored in Hope: A series through 1 & 2 Peter (Part 1)

Feeling like an outsider

When have you felt left out or excluded? Maybe it was a friend group, a work event, or even a family gathering. Rejection stings. Feeling like an outsider is uncomfortable. Yet, for Christians, this sense of being "different" isn't accidental—it's part of our identity.

Peter opens his letter by calling believers "elect exiles" (1 Peter 1:1). That phrase is packed with meaning: chosen by God, yet strangers in the world. This tension—belonging to God while feeling alien here—isn't a mistake. It's part of God's plan to shape us.

Our Identity: Chosen Yet Scattered

Peter writes to Christians scattered across the Roman Empire, facing persecution and uncertainty. His first words remind them who they are:

• God's elect - chosen, loved, secure.
• Exiles - foreigners in a world that doesn't share their values.

Why start here? Because behavior flows from identity. If we know who we are, we'll know how to live. Our hope isn't rooted in this world but in Christ's return (1 Peter 1:3-4). That hope is living, imperishable, and secure. Trials will come, but they're temporary (1 Peter 1:6). In fact, suffering proves the genuineness of our faith (1 Peter 1:7).

Living Between Here and Home

Life as an exile is hard. We crave belonging, but Peter reminds us: this world isn't home. Our true citizenship is in heaven. That perspective changes everything:

• Suffering isn't pointless - God uses trials to refine our faith.
• Joy and pain coexist - because our hope is anchored in Christ.

Peter's words echo Jesus' promise in John 16:33: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Trouble is guaranteed, but so is victory.

Two Responsibilities While We Wait

So what do we do while we wait for Christ's return? Peter gives two clear commands:

1. Live holy (1 Peter 1:14-16) - Set apart because God is holy. Holiness means being distinct, even when it's uncomfortable.
2. Love deeply (1 Peter 1:22) - Genuine love for fellow believers, especially in hard times. When suffering tempts us to turn inward, Peter calls us to turn outward in love.

Holiness and love aren't optional—they're the heartbeat of a life anchored in hope.

Head Change: Know that being a foreigner is part of God's plan

Peter reminds us that exile isn't accidental, it's intentional. God uses our outsider status to shape our character and deepen our dependence on Him. When we understand this, we stop asking, "Why is life so hard?" and start asking, "How is God using this to make me holy?" Trials aren't detours; they're part of the journey toward Christlikeness.

Heart Change: Feel at home in God's family, even if the world rejects you

Rejection hurts, but it doesn't define us. Our belonging isn't tied to cultural acceptance—it's anchored in Christ. When the world says, "You don't fit," God says, "You're mine." This truth should settle our hearts and free us from striving for approval. Instead of resentment toward those who exclude us, we can respond with grace because we know where we truly belong: in a family that spans eternity.

Life Change: Identity and change patterns shaped by worldly living

Living as exiles means unlearning habits that don't align with our new identity. Peter calls us to holiness—not as a burden, but as a reflection of who we are.

• Step 1: Examine your rhythms—what influences your decisions, priorities, and desires?
• Step 2: Replace patterns of compromise with practices of obedience.
• Step 3: Choose love over self-focus, especially in seasons of hardship.

Transformation isn't instant, but every choice to live holy and love deeply declares, "This world isn't my home."

Opposition isn't a dead end, it's an opportunity. Our hardships remind us this world isn't home. Our hope is eternal, and our calling is clear: live holy, love well, and cling to the living hope that never fades. Here are some reflection questions to consider as we continue through the month:

• When have you felt like an outsider because of your faith?
• How do trials reveal where your hope truly lies?
• What would it look like for you to love others deeply this week?

Cornerstone Impact Update

Work isn't just a job, it's a calling. In our last Every Good Endeavor blog of 2024, we dove into:

• Why all work matters to God.
• The beauty of common grace.
• How to engage culture without losing your soul.
• Moving from dualism to integration.

If you missed it, you can find it here and discover how faith reframes vocation:

A New Conception of Work (The Gospel & Work) - Part 10

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10a Everyone Participates in God’s Work Last month, we explored how the gospel provides a worldview—a story that shapes the way Christians approach work. This worldview gives believers a distinct way of working, but

SEM Trader's BlogCourtney Dent

We will be continuing this series on January 28.

Eventide

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Making Sense out of Change: Investing in the AI Cycle

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