The United Church of Canada (UCC) is a Protestant denomination established in 1925 through the merger of Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational churches in Canada. By the 1960s, it had become the largest denomination with over one million members. It pursued progressive and inclusive values and actively engaged in social issues, showing interest in topics that were ahead of their time, such as climate change and gender theory. However, conversely, it declined as it lost the essence of the Bible and evangelical faith that the church must preserve. While it was expected that a new, forward-thinking generation would join, traditional members felt alienated, and the new generation did not come. Ultimately, it lost both. What this teaches us is that the essence of the church lies not in its concern for worldly issues but in the faith, biblical truth, and spiritual aspects that only the church can provide. Love for the Lord and the purity of faith are the identity that the church must not lose. As we live in this era, we should strive to emulate the pure example of believers who love the Lord as described in the Bible. What does the pure form of faith look like, as conveyed by Peter in his letter to the believers in Asia Minor? Let's examine it.

1. Hold Fast to Faith Even in Difficulties

This letter was written to believers scattered throughout Asia Minor to escape persecution. They endured great suffering while living among pagan societies. Because they lived lives set apart, distinct from the pagans, they faced much hatred and slander. They were like foreigners and exiles scattered in that society (1:1). Furthermore, news began to arrive that the Romans were launching widespread persecutions against Jesus' followers. Hearing this, the believers must have felt anxiety and fear. It was to encourage these saints to stand firm in grace and overcome their trials that the Apostle Peter wrote this letter of encouragement. People often ask, "What is the benefit of believing in Jesus?" If asked whether the benefit is only heaven after death or if there is any other benefit, we can say there is grace ‘in this life’ as well: peace, joy, and guidance in our hearts. The greatest blessing is knowing salvation through faith in Jesus and becoming children of God itself—an indescribably great blessing. However, the life of faith does not consist only of blessings; there is also suffering. The less mature we are, the less we understand why there is suffering in the Christian life. And even if we understand, suffering remains burdensome and difficult. We learn about faith amid suffering through examples like Job's trials and the many psalms of lament. While we cannot fully comprehend the problem of suffering, we must adopt a new perspective toward it. We learn that, although persecution brings physical and mental hardship, we can still rejoice in trials because of the grace of salvation.

Peter holds them in high esteem and encourages them precisely because they maintained pure faith even in suffering. Though they had not seen Jesus with their own eyes, they were people who loved the Lord. They were people who could rejoice and be glad in faith despite their difficult circumstances (1:8). By considering the believers' example—offering glorious praise to God, who gave them a living hope—we are led to realize this precious grace. Seeing their example teaches us that our faith can attain greater purity not necessarily in favorable circumstances, but often precisely in difficult ones.

We are no different from the saints in Asia Minor. Our situations may differ, but we are fellow believers. We, too, must live as spiritual exiles in this world. Though we settle and live here, we are soul-travelers who look forward to the eternal kingdom of God. Therefore, we must live with the spirituality of exiles. This spirituality means loving the Lord purely. It may sound obvious, but it's possible to love the world more than the Lord, precisely because we often focus more on the world. We must become people who love the Lord more.

Furthermore, pure faith is believing, rejoicing, and being glad. The worries of this world cannot steal our hope and joy. Living joyfully while fixing our eyes on heavenly hope—this is the mark of pure faith. The purity of faith must not waver. It should not be that some days we feel such conviction, and other days we forget and live otherwise. We must move forward steadily, step by step, in one consistent direction. "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming." (1:13)

2. Cultivate a Heart Like the Lord's

To persevere through difficulties or achieve goals, we need a model to emulate. The model for our faith is the Lord Himself, who walked this earth in human flesh. When we strive to become like Him, we can reach higher and more mature goals in our faith. scripture instructs us, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith,"and "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus" (Heb 12:2, Phil 2:5). This shows us that the goal of our faith is to become more like the Lord. This was especially pertinent for the believers in Asia Minor, who were facing trials and suffering. The secret to overcoming hardship is to follow the example of the Lord, who Himself endured suffering. We gain the strength and courage to endure by cultivating a heart like His.

Having a heart like the Lord’s means having a clear, steadfast inner core. As verse 15 states, this heart has a clear "reason for the hope" within. This is not mere words; it is a solid, unwavering center within. Like the saying, "soft on the outside, strong on the inside," there is an unshakeable strength within a gentle exterior. No matter how fierce the winds and waves from without, the inner core remains steadfast. A person with the mind of Christ is like this. They may appear weak outwardly, but they possess an unshakeable center—a heart that holds the Lord Himself. Even when all the storms of the world assail them, the person who has the Lord’s heart can overcome them.

While our inner conviction must be clear and firm, our interaction with others must be characterized by gentleness and respect. The text says, "But do this with gentleness and respect" (v.15). People, upon seeing the believers in Asia Minor hold fast to their faith amidst persecution, would have asked for a reason. Some questions may have come from genuine curiosity, others as traps for accusation. In answering, they were to respond with gentleness and respect. When we are full of inner certainty, it’s easy to become assertive or emotional. We are told not to do so, but to respond with gentleness and respect. Here, "respect" (or fear) is not fear of people, but reverence for God. One who fears God can be bold toward people.

When representing our faith and God to the world, we must always be gentle and humble, yet also bold. This is the proper posture when our faith must be made known to the world: a harmony and balance. We must not be ashamed of the gospel or shrink back. We must proclaim it boldly. Yet, we must not do so in a self-assertive or emotional manner, as that can provoke backlash and aversion. As those who know grace, with the heart of a debtor to the gospel, our attitude should be one of gentleness and reverence. Through such humility and carefulness, we become faithful witnesses of the gospel, able to share it more effectively.

Conclusion

Through today's passage, we must examine our faith. Ours is an era filled with many differing thoughts. Diversity is good, but it is easy to lose purity. If the church loses the gospel, it loses its very essence as the church. If believers lose their love for the Lord, they lose their identity as saints. Reflecting on the believers who lived as scattered exiles in Asia Minor yet maintained pure faith, we must resolve not to lose our faith even in difficulties. We must cultivate a heart like the Lord’s. This faith, this trust, is precious. Let us be the Lord's children who, amidst various trials and challenges, live without losing the pure essence of our fai