1 Peter 1:6-9
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
We rejoice in our living hope of the resurrection of the body to follow the resurrection of our souls in the new birth. These trials and present adversity may bring a heaviness to grieve us in this life, yet we realize that God is working in us to increase the precious and invaluable faith He gave for our regeneration to the justification in salvation. These difficult things may seem to overwhelm and crush us, but we need to understand how He uses these to burn off the chaff of our sinful desires and habits to conform us to Christ (Titus 2:14). By this refining process, our faith will bring praise and glory to our Lord, honoring the one who deserves all the credit. Our faith is His work in and through us. We cannot see Christ face to face yet, but love Him for who He reveals Himself to be by the scriptures and His Spirit within us, looking forward to the day we will be in His presence forever at last. With this assurance of trust we have joy in His glory that words cannot capture, knowing we are saved from wrath and for renewed fellowship as at first in Eden. The result of our faith in the end is this salvation for which we are eternally and overwhelmingly thankful, though we do not yet see Him as we will. These trials are to glory by faith and hope in love.
No comments:
Post a Comment