The Great CommissionSample

## A Hope That Can't be Taken Away I look around the world or, even around my own church, and I see followers of Jesus being much tougher than me. Some fit the mould of what Peter describes as ‘suffer[ing] for what is right’. I admire the faith and tenacity of those who not only persevere in the face of real persecution but continue to consider themselves blessed. When someone is in a terrible situation and they still count their blessings, it can sound as if they’re avoiding a painful reality. But this passage in 1 Peter points to why believers feel blessed even while they count the cost of following Christ. Such people know the reason for the hope they have – the reason spelled out in the final sentence. Jesus Christ suffered for sin to bring the faithful in a right relationship with God. Such a powerful truth can sustain someone through suffering. While that reason for hope in Christ might not make suffering go away, suffering cannot take away that hope. Written by BEN McEACHEN