The Hope at the Center | 1 Peter 3:15

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” (1 Peter 3:15 NLT)

Years ago, I encountered a man on a street in Hawaii. He was holding a sign that read, “The wages of sin is death.” He was also yelling, “God hates you” and “God will judge you” to everyone who passed by. I watched him for a few minutes until I could no longer leave his misrepresentation of Scripture unchallenged.

“Excuse me,” I said. “Why don’t you share the rest of that verse? It’s true that it says the wages of sin is death, but the rest of it says that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The man responded by telling me that God was going to judge me. Then he continued misrepresenting God’s Word.

Make no mistake: Judgment can and will come to those who reject the Lord. But if that’s our only message to the world, we’re not doing the gospel justice. Because at the center of the gospel is a message of hope. The apostle Peter wrote, “If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15 NLT).

So, let’s explain it. Jesus Christ took the judgment of God on the cross of Calvary in our place so we don’t have to face it. Everyone who believes in Him will be saved from judgment because of God’s mercy.

As we wrap up our look at the greatest revival in human history, I will remind you that God spared Nineveh. God extended mercy to Nineveh. And as a result, a spiritual awakening occurred in Nineveh. The people of Nineveh seized on the hope in Jonah’s message and believed.

If God could bring a mighty revival in Nineveh with no better representative than Jonah and no more gospel than he preached in their streets, He can surely do the same thing for America. Jesus validated the story of Jonah. He said that just as Jonah was in the belly of a fish for three days, He, the Son of God, would be crucified on a cross, lie dead for three days, and then rise again. That’s why believers have hope.

Jesus endured God’s judgment for your sin. He suffered and died in your place. And He did it as part of God’s plan. God loves you so much that He sacrificed His only Son so that you might have eternal life.

As we celebrate 250 years of God’s blessings on our nation, I want to make sure that you have something greater to celebrate. Have you asked Christ to come into your life? Have you asked Him to forgive you of your sins? Do you have the hope right now that you will go to Heaven when you die? If not, you can have it. Pray these words: Lord Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I’m sorry for my sin. I’ve turned from it, and now I choose to follow You from this moment forward. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Reflection question: What would you say if someone asked you about the hope you have as a believer? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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