Living With an Eternal Perspective: A Guided Reading of Peter's Letter to the Persecuted ChurchSample

While we are in fact foreigners on this earth, set apart by God for a purpose, we are specifically not instructed to glide through life unscathed and unconcerned about what happens here. When the Israelites were exiled to Babylon, God spoke to them through Jeremiah, saying, “The exile will be long; build houses and live in them, and plant gardens and eat their produce” (Jeremiah 29:28 NASB).

We are called to settle in. To be present. To love each other deeply. To let each other into our homes and lives. To use our gifts for the benefits of others. Being present and putting down roots means that when the storms come, we will feel it. It will hurt. But Peter tells us “do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you;” (1 Peter 4:12 NASB).

This is what it means to be a Christian. This is what it means to live like Jesus. We reject the temptations to disconnect from the world or give in to despair. We aim to be fully grounded in the present while our wide-angle view is shaped by our promised eternity with Christ.

This is not easy. This life is not for those who want what’s easy and comfortable. Not only do we live in a broken world, but we are actively opposed by a very real and dangerous enemy. One who, “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”.

So what are we supposed to do?

We look to Him who has gone before us. He went before us and conquered death itself, clothed in unfathomable humility, unflinching truth, and unyielding love. We look to Jesus as our ultimate example for how to live in the “now” of our present reality and the “not yet” of the full realization of God’s kingdom on earth.

We stand firm, rooted in our love for Christ and for each other, “and after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10 NASB).

That promise belongs to us. That, one day and for eternity, God himself will make us whole again. The suffering is for but a moment. The glory with God is forever. Take this promise with you today. Meditate on it. Relish in it. And let it make its way from your head to your heart and out into the world through your hands.

A Question To Ponder:

How do you want God to help you live in light of eternity today?

If you desire a more in-depth study of 1 Peter, we want to point you to our Inductive Bible Study. Physical copies can be ordered, and digital copies can be downloaded for free from our website. They are ideal for Small Groups and will equip you with skills to study the Bible for a lifetime!