Part 4. How does hope prevent us from shame? In the context of our text, shame would result if we were unable to endure our suffering and fall into sin. For example, "All who forsake the Lord will be put to shame" (Jeremiah 17:13). This forsaking the Lord could occur in the face of persecution. Before we connect hope to shame, we need to ask what we hope in. "According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:3 - 5 ESV). This hope, in obtaining our inheritance that is through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, provides us with the strength and encouragement to endure and remain faithful, protecting us from shame.
We will continue next time.
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