1 Peter 1:3-9
"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 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." (NKJV)
I know it can be hard sometimes to see God when either we or someone we care about is going through a terrible trial or has experienced a horrific tragedy. Today's message really weighs on my heart because of a friend of mine who, along with friends of theirs, is experiencing this very thing.
I couldn't put just one of these verses because they all are related and it is important to look at scripture in context so today's is a bit long.
The first thing that we need to understand is that we have the living hope of eternity with Christ through His resurrection. This is the hinge that holds our faith together. A hinge so strong that every apostle (except for John) died a horrific martyrs death believing in. If Jesus was not raised from the dead, they would have known that and would not have been willing to die for a lie.
Peter says that our inheritance (eternal life) cannot be destroyed. No matter what this life or this world throws at us or takes away from us, our salvation will not fade away like treasures here on earth. When we die, we can't take our money, house, car, 401K, IRA, etc with us. The only thing we can take with us is our salvation. Everything else gets divided up to those we leave behind but our salvation remains with us.
The next important point is that Peter tells us that as believers we will face hard times. He recognized this in verse 6 and he is speaking to believers in Jesus. Their lives were not all perfect and without hardship. He encouraged them to look past the trials and rejoice in the love they have for Christ even though they have not physically seen Him, they know in their hearts that they love Him and through their current trial, they can draw to Him and lean on His strength. He also says that their faith will be tested by fire. We know that if something can withstand fire it is (for the most part) indestructible. Our faith in Christ will be tested and put to the fire when we or people we love go through hard times, but it is that same faith and love for Jesus that will get us through it.
(From the Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren Wiersbe)
["Our love for Christ is not based on physical sight, because we have not seen Him. It is based on our spiritual relationship with Him and what the Word has taught us about Him. The Holy Spirit has poured out God’s love into our hearts (Rom. 5:5), and we return that love to Him. When you find yourself in some trial, and you hurt, immediately lift your heart to Christ in true love and worship. Why? Because this will take the poison out of the experience and replace it with healing medicine."]
I want to close with some verses that help show us that we WILL ALL go through hard times here on earth but that we should, during these times, look ahead of the trouble and look to the prize. And that prize being our salvation and the hope of eternity with Christ. And that hope is not hope of what MAY come but is the hope and expectancy of what WILL COME.
Matthew 5:12
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
James 1:2-3
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."
1 Peter 4:12
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you"
Romans 1:3-5
"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Understand that the trials these men faced during the day these letters were written were death and punishment for their faith. Severe persecution and torture is what they faced. If they can look past what they were going through, how much more can we look past our own trials and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Be encouraged today!
Mike
