Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

I Peter 1:13

God has given believers a new life and living hope in Christ, enabling them to live holy lives even in the midst of suffering.

Peter wanted the believers scattered throughout the Roman Empire to be prepared for the coming persecution. He encouraged them to focus on their salvation and the inheritance waiting for them in Heaven. No matter what opposition or persecution they experienced, it was not without a purpose. God allows suffering to test, refine, and strengthen the faith of His people. The earthly pain was temporary, but their hope and future with Christ would be forever. Proven faith brings glory to God and enables His people to live godly lives in an ungodly world.

God has given you the faith to believe in Christ, and now He wants to develop your faith so that you will live for Christ. As you try to live for God, you realize that it’s not easy to put away the old way of life and “be holy” – to live as God intends you to live. God designs the trials you face to remove the slag of sins that contaminate your character. God’s enduring Word says that testing your faith is more precious than refining gold. Gold perishes. Faith remains. How are you responding to God’s refining process? Are you resisting or releasing?

Early Christians stand apart from the culture and suffer social stigmas and physical persecution at times. Peter challenges them to remain faithful to Jesus who also suffered for not conforming.

Voice Translation

The most important person in whom you can ever have hope is Jesus Christ. That hope is brought to you through the grace Jesus offers because He suffered and died on the cross for you and your sins. The hope you have is because of the free gift given by Jesus. If you ask, you will receive from Jesus; it’s that simple! That’s what grace is: something you can’t earn; it’s given freely.