1 Peter 1:8,9

“And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls”

I realized that I am taking this study far too slowly, and at this pace, I might never finish 1 Peter!  Yet I cannot help but stop at every word, ponder, and gaze anew at the glories of His promises! They are truly new every morning… and so I’ve decided to spend a whole post on two verses!

I love Peter’s perspective. Out of all the disciples, Peter arguably spent the most time with Jesus. Yet he denied Christ 3 times, and was asked by Jesus, “Do you love me?” For him to write these verses “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him” is significant to say the least!

It is Peter’s humility in this passage, his encouragement that is so uplifting. Though they had not seen Jesus, they believed in Him and greatly rejoiced because of this belief! How many people did Peter see reject Jesus on earth?

The unshakable confidence that these people had in a God that they could not see was remarkable, and Peter wanted them to recognize it – intending to spur them on in their faith and not lose hope.

Love-Belief-Joy. Those who love Christ cannot help but believe His promises. A true faith and love in Him results in a joy inexpressible! What a marvelous truth! The deeper we study His character and more intimately we know Him, the stronger our love for Him grows. Yet how can we respond otherwise?

There are no faults in Him, no mask that hides His sin. Therefore, the fuller our understanding, the more beautiful His character, the more wonderful His grace and love to us. Has He not “freely given us ALL things? (Romans 8:32).

Our joy is inexpressible because the “outcome of our faith is the salvation of our souls”. We are constantly, presently delivered from the penalty and power of sin – from its guilt, condemnation, and wrath.  It is our deliverance and fellowship with this Savior that enables us to have a joy inexpressible!

1:5a-7

a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,  so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

“savlation ready to be revealed in the last time” – the rescue and deliverance from sin and self will reach its culmination in heaven. There, believers will become like Christ “for we shall see Him face to face” in the final state of sanctification (i.e. glorification).

“in this you greatly rejoice” – joy is the mark of all true believers, whatever state they are in. In light of the promise of eternal salvation, of course we rejoice! For we know that He is sovereign over every circumstance in our life… even the trials. Therefore, we can endure all things with patience and joy, knowing that our heavenly Father knows and rules over all – for our good! This joy is neither brief nor shallow, but is permanent and penetrates every aspect of life.  It is a joy that comes from a deep-seated confidence in this protected inheritance, and it derives from the comfort of having a personal relationship with Christ.

“ even for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials” – The truth is, troubles are transitory.  They are but a “momentary, light affliction” (2 Cor 4:17). Trials may be momentary, but their impact is eternal. They serve a purpose in our lives: to humble us, tear us away from worldly things, to teach us the value of relationship with Christ, enable us to help others, chastens us for sins, and helps to strengthen us spiritually.  

The reason for trials? “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes, though tested by fire” -  a new perspective on trials! Standing firm amidst trials solidifies our commitment to this faith we claim. We find confidence and joy in trouble, knowing that our faith is real and it is in a proven God.  This is more valuable than gold that perishes!  Trials refine us, prove to us what is really worthy of our lives, and remind us that we depend solely on the Lord for everything, so cling to Him!

So that this faith “may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” – this is incredible. Believers who honor God in this life, can by their faithfulness in trials elicit praise for the Lord in the life to come.  The glory that was the Son’s becomes in part, our own glory. When we see Him face to face, we shall become like Him.

One day, we shall be perfect and complete. Until then, we find grace for every trial in the shelter of His wings. His love could not want anything less than for us to find utter satisfaction in Him alone. There is nothing else worthy. So with every trial, we press on, for we live not for the temporary, but for the eternal!

1 Peter 1:3-4

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, reserved in heaven for you" (1:3-4)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" - In the Old Testament, the Fathe was creator and redeemer, now we must associate Him as Father of our Master and Savior Jesus Christ.

"who according to His great mercy" - Why did God save sinners? It was His mercy. There was nothing in us to love, nothing in us worth saving. Yet God poured out His love upon us.. "while we were still sinners". We were in a miserable and pitiful condition, slaves to sin.. and He reached down in mercy and granted us eternal life.

"born again to a living hope" - In order for us to obtain this living hope, we must be "born again". This involves a spiritual transformation, from death to life! He has given us new hearts, and now we have the ability to live for Him. We fear death no longer, for our hope lies even beyond the grave, where we will enter the glorious presence of God and live forever in fellowship with Him!

"through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" - without the resurrection, 1 Cor 15:17 says we "would still be in our sins". Christ's resurrection ensured for all time the believer's living hope in heaven, finally counquering death and ending the curse. "He who believes in Him will never die" John 14:19

"to obtain in inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you" - Just as Israel received the land as their inheritance, so the church receives a spiritual inheritance in heaven. Nothing in this world can take away our inheritance in heaven. What confidence we have in Christ! We are sons and daughters of the King, co-inheritors with Christ! This inheritance is not based upon our works, but upon God's unconditional promise. Therefore, we have no reason to fear its loss, for our heavenly Father has guaranteed it with the Spirit that lives inside us! (Eph 1:14)

Remember the audience? Peter is encouraging persecuted Christians to have hope! Though their bodies may be burned, and all possessions taken away, they have an inheritance in heaven that cannot be taken away.  O ye of little faith! Take heart! God has not forsaken you yet - He has saved you and raised you to a living hope, so cling to His promises wherever you are!

1 Peter 1:1 Obedience

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure."

"Chosen... to obey" - I have been musing upon this one for a couple of days now. My salvation is for the purpose of obedience. Makes you stop and think, doesn't it? If we claim to call Jesus our Lord and Master, then doesn't it follow that we have committed our lives to obeying Him?

Slaves of Christ.. that phrase has become meaningless to us it seems. Yes, we understand, it means to give our lives in service to Him. But can we say that our lives are defined by this NOW?? I certainly cannot.

If we believe that God "works all things in accordance with His will"  and that "all things work for the good of those who love Him" - then in any situation we should be able to respond with thankful and joyful hearts, knowing that He has determined our steps and that they are for our good!

Yet this is so often not the way that I live. This passage calls us back to truth: "we are His workmanship, created in Christ.. to do GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand, that we should WALK IN THEM" Eph 2:10. Christ has hung upon the cross so that I would serve Him. He gave His life, made a way for me to be an inheritor of His kingdom by His blood, so that I will live as He commands, for my good and His glory. WOW.

"sprinkled with His blood" - As Moses descended down the Mt of Sinai, He brought the words of God to the people. They responded with words of obedience "All that you have said, we will do" Ex 24:3-8. To symbolize the covenant between the people and God, Moses splattered the altar (sym: God) with blood, and turned and threw the rest of the blood on the people. Their promise to obey was sealed in blood.

Christ has kept His part of the blood covenant, will you?

1 Peter 1:1-2

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus CHrist and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure."

I hope you are ready! This passage is packed with truth and filled with jewels. In short, it is beautiful. Shall we?

"To those who reside as aliens" - as a result of the persecution, believers from all over the Roman Empire were scattered because of their belief in Christ. The idea of "strangers and aliens" also comes from Hebrews 11:13. Those who trust in God confess that they are but strangers in this world because they are citizens in heaven. The ones who live by faith, "desire a better, heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them" (Heb 11:16). The world is not our home, for our citizenship is in the heavens!

"chosen according to the foreknowledge of God" - Our citizenship in heaven is the result of God's choosing. In Chapter 2:9, Peter says that we are a "chosen generation". In the same way that God chose His people, Israel, He chooses His people now - the church. In the book of Ephesians, Paul tells the church at Ephesus that they have been "predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (1:11). Romans tells us that "No one understands, no one seeks after God" (3:11). Therefore, "No one can come to Me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Me draws him"  (John 6:44)

The foreknowledge of God is also more than a simple knowledge of future events. It is the Greek word "prognosis" which refers to God's eternal, predetermined, loving and saving intention. The same word was used in reference to God's knowledge from eternity past that He would send His Son to redeem sinners. His knowledge is based on His decisions, not merely an understanding of future happenings in the world. God does not take a "hands-off" approach to running the universe!

When God says "I have known you by name" to Moses, He means that He has an intimate relationship with Moses, not that He merely knows about him. To those whom He has redeemed, we also have an established, intimate relationship with our Creator. Psalm 139 says "O Lord, You have searched me and known me..." His foreknowledge involves a predetermining to know somone by having an intimate, saving relationship with them. Those whom He has "foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29).

"sanctifying work of the Spirit" - refers to the separation and holiness of the believer from the world. Once a person is justified, or made right with God, the Spirit begins this sanctifying process. For the rest of a believer's life, the Spirit will be chiseling and molding that person into the image of Christ. The Spirit produces faith and repentance, and is also the guarantee of our inheritance in heaven. (Ephesians 1:14).

Making war on sin is the work of the Spirit. He separates us from darkness into light and changes our desires. When we find a love for righteouness and a hatred of sin in our souls, it is the work of the Spirit! Any good thing in us is the "fruit of the Spirit" (i.e. love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)

Therefore, if you cannot find the work of the Spirit in your life, it is time to re-evaluate! Have you ever accepted the sacrifice of the Son of God on your behalf? If you have, then rejoice! For the Spirit is continuously changing you into the image of Christ! We are citizens of heaven...

Intro to Study!

The blessings derived from studying the Word are more than I can mention. The power of God is in the gospel! I love 1 Peter because it is full of encouragement and hope in the midst of suffering.

My prayer is that through this study the “eyes of your understanding will be enlightened, so you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power towards those who believe” Eph 1:18.

Time to get going, don’t you think???

Background:

As any good bible scholar knows (of which you now are!), the background to a book is most important. It sets the stage for the writing, and gives the audience a context to correctly read the book.

The book of 1 Peter was written to believers who were about to suffer mightily for their beliefs in Christ. Only several years later, Nero would blame the Christians for the fires in Rome – thus spreading persecution like wildfire. Christians would soon become the enemies of Rome, crucified, burned at the stake, and thrown to the lions. Even Peter, the writer of this book, would lose his life as a result of the persecution.

But this was Peter, and on this “Rock” Christ would build His church. Headstrong and impulsive during Christ’s ministry, Peter lived up to His name after Christ’s ascension by fearlessly preaching the gospel, performing miracles, confronting Jewish authorities, and disciplining sinning church members. The Holy Spirit had transformed this lowly fisherman into a Man of God.

His epistle was written to those in the present part of Turkey (Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia). The purpose for his writing is beautiful: to encourage believers to stand firm in the true grace of God (5:12), even in the face of escalating persecution and suffering. And to do so triumphantly! For they are chosen by God and their inheritance awaits them in heaven. No persecution can take their joy, for their eyes are on the eternal.

My purpose for writing is so together we can grow in the love and knowledge of Christ. Why? Because. Knowing Christ is worth it =)