Because our hope is a living hope based in the risen Jesus, we can live as sojourners in this fallen world. This world is not our true home. Heaven is. Eternity in heaven will give us perspective on our current trials we can't fully comprehend right now. Because of this hope, even our pain can be productive.

When the Apostle Peter explained our place in God's plan of redemption, he reminds us God had a plan from the beginning of time to rescue us that was kept hidden until Jesus came to earth. Peter challenges us to have a battle mind-set. We have urgency because we are in a battle and on a mission that matters. We have confidence because we are secure in God who has already delivered us from judgment.

Peter exhorts us to long for the Word of God as a baby longs for its milk. We know physical bodies grow in response to physical nourishment. Spiritually, we grow from being nourished by the Word. Science and human knowledge can let us down but the Word of God endures forever. If you are struggling to get into reading the Bible, pray and ask God to open your eyes to see what we have in His Word.

Peter encourages the believers who are experiencing some persecution for following Jesus. He calls them to expect and embrace societal rejection, just as Jesus did while here on earth. He tells them to focus on their privileged status with God, because we have constant access to Jesus, through whom we are God's priests. We will never be disappointed that we trusted in Him and our opponents will ultimately fail. We are members of God's royal family, because we have received His mercy.

Peter calls all believers to set an example of excellent behavior as this will refute the slanderous things that ignorant people say about Christians. People are watching us and our actions can refute misconceptions people have about followers of Christ. Jesus gave us the ultimate example by dying for the unjust. This is the gospel and the source of our strength.

The recipients of Peter's letter were being slanderer, reviled and maligned for following Jesus. Peter instructs them to be bond-servants to all people, even those who are persecuting them. They are to verbally communicate the message that Jesus is Savior. They are to display behavior that commends the message about Jesus by submitting themselves to authorities and obeying when not biblically impermissible. They are to be bond-servants to all people.

All people will suffer in this world, but Christians are called to endure suffer, even for doing what is right. We can choose to be fearful of the things of this world or we can trust in Jesus and remember , even when things look bad, God is still in control.

Peter writes to his readers who are experiencing soft persecution such as suspicion, slander and reviling. He wants them to not be surprised by it, but to expect it. He doesn't want them to feel ashamed but to rejoice in their sharing in the suffering of Christ. And by all means do not do anything to deserve the persecution but keep doing good in spite of it.

Peter describes Satan as a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. He attempts to devour us by means of distraction, deception and other schemes. As Christians, we resist him by standing solid in the faith. Stand fast in the true grace of God.

Peter teaches that the most effective component of leadership is humility. The path to leadership isn't up, but down. Leaders who know how to humbly follow other leaders make better leaders. God graces humble leaders with protection, empowerment to serve, and many other good things. Whether you desire to become a leader or not, we all are called to "clothe (our)selves with humility."