"Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look."
After discussing the joy that comes from salvation, Peter focuses on the fact that this salvation has been and continues to be the source of interest and awe for many. Before Christ came and sacrificed himself for our sin, the prophets wanted to understand our salvation. They were told that the Messiah would suffer and then be given great glory. This was perplexing to them, and they wanted to understand. They carefully considered what had been revealed about the matter. They came to realize that the salvation was for us. (This interpretation could prose a problem as the salvation was for them too, but we are the more direct beneficiaries of it). We have had these great truths announced to us, written for us to understand as much as we are able. The angels also long to give their attention to these matters.
What about me? Christ's work for my salvation is a worthy subject to consider. It is mine to live and experience. How much attention do I give to the matter which angels "long to look" at? It is worthy of my attention and wonder.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
1 Peter 1:8b-9
"Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
The joy in verse eight seems to be a result of "obtaining the outcome of your faith." The outcome of faith is salvation. The outcome of salvation is inexpressible joy. Is the salvation referring to justification, sanctification, or glorification? I'm not sure if the passage has one particular moment in view. Surely all of them should result in inexpressible joy. I would think that our glorification would be a point of joy that is unquestionably inexpressible, even unimaginable. However, the other points in our Christian life should also be characterized by an unexplainable joy. And the emphasis on belief in and love of one whom we cannot see, would seem to indicate that the salvation mentioned refers to justification or sanctification (I'm inclined to lean towards sanctification). Whatever the case, we are overjoyed at the knowledge of what Christ has and will accomplish in us through the means of the faith that He has given us.
The joy in verse eight seems to be a result of "obtaining the outcome of your faith." The outcome of faith is salvation. The outcome of salvation is inexpressible joy. Is the salvation referring to justification, sanctification, or glorification? I'm not sure if the passage has one particular moment in view. Surely all of them should result in inexpressible joy. I would think that our glorification would be a point of joy that is unquestionably inexpressible, even unimaginable. However, the other points in our Christian life should also be characterized by an unexplainable joy. And the emphasis on belief in and love of one whom we cannot see, would seem to indicate that the salvation mentioned refers to justification or sanctification (I'm inclined to lean towards sanctification). Whatever the case, we are overjoyed at the knowledge of what Christ has and will accomplish in us through the means of the faith that He has given us.
Friday, January 26, 2007
1 Peter 1:8
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory"
How can I love someone whom we have not seen? It does not seem to be a possibility. And yet, I love Christ (whom we have not seen). And my love should manifest itself in the most difficult of times as praise and worship. I have not yet seen Him, but I shall see Him. And for now, I believe Him. And I have joy in my live because of that belief.
This joy is said to be "inexpressible." It defies expression for it is beyond our ability to accurately describe it. We are told that the joy is filled with glory. I'm not quite sure what that means, and I'd like to consider it some more. Perhaps I won't be able to fully grasp the concept intellectually (it's inexpressible maybe it's incomprehensible too). Perhaps I must experience it to fully understand.
How can I love someone whom we have not seen? It does not seem to be a possibility. And yet, I love Christ (whom we have not seen). And my love should manifest itself in the most difficult of times as praise and worship. I have not yet seen Him, but I shall see Him. And for now, I believe Him. And I have joy in my live because of that belief.
This joy is said to be "inexpressible." It defies expression for it is beyond our ability to accurately describe it. We are told that the joy is filled with glory. I'm not quite sure what that means, and I'd like to consider it some more. Perhaps I won't be able to fully grasp the concept intellectually (it's inexpressible maybe it's incomprehensible too). Perhaps I must experience it to fully understand.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
1 Peter 1:6-7
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
We are not tried unnecessarily. Last weekend I preached a message from James 1 on being willing to suffer. I mentioned these verses in 1 Peter, but didn't consider them very deeply. As I read them now, I'm drawn to the words "if necessary." We have a living eternal hope. But in time, we face trials and they might bring us grief. We only encounter trials if they are necessary. And they are necessary. When we face trials, the sincerity of our faith is tested. When we face trials with genuine face, we praise and glorify Christ. Why? Because in the trials we learn more of Christ and perhaps are shown a bit of what he went through for us. Knowing Christ better, we are moved to give Him glory. This is precious.
We are not tried unnecessarily. Last weekend I preached a message from James 1 on being willing to suffer. I mentioned these verses in 1 Peter, but didn't consider them very deeply. As I read them now, I'm drawn to the words "if necessary." We have a living eternal hope. But in time, we face trials and they might bring us grief. We only encounter trials if they are necessary. And they are necessary. When we face trials, the sincerity of our faith is tested. When we face trials with genuine face, we praise and glorify Christ. Why? Because in the trials we learn more of Christ and perhaps are shown a bit of what he went through for us. Knowing Christ better, we are moved to give Him glory. This is precious.
Monday, January 22, 2007
I Peter 1:3-5
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 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."
The author pronounces blessing upon the Father, and the Father should be blessed by us too. He has shown us mercy. We were without hope, but now, because He "caused us to be born again" and because Jesus rose from the dead, we have a living hope. We expect an inheritance. This inheritance is eternal and is eternally satisfying. We need not fear loosing it, for we are being guarded by God's power. It is being saved for us, and we will be saved for it.
The author pronounces blessing upon the Father, and the Father should be blessed by us too. He has shown us mercy. We were without hope, but now, because He "caused us to be born again" and because Jesus rose from the dead, we have a living hope. We expect an inheritance. This inheritance is eternal and is eternally satisfying. We need not fear loosing it, for we are being guarded by God's power. It is being saved for us, and we will be saved for it.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
I Peter 1:1-2
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
I was planning on skipping this section in my devotional journal. That's what I did with James. But this segment seems to be packed with information. Peter, in saying hello, mentions truths like our election, the Father's foreknowledge of us, the Spirit's sanctifying work, our obedience to Christ, and our being sprinkled with his blood. He then caps off the hello by wishing multiplied grace and peace to the hearers. If the hello is any indication, I'm going to really enjoy studying this book.
I was planning on skipping this section in my devotional journal. That's what I did with James. But this segment seems to be packed with information. Peter, in saying hello, mentions truths like our election, the Father's foreknowledge of us, the Spirit's sanctifying work, our obedience to Christ, and our being sprinkled with his blood. He then caps off the hello by wishing multiplied grace and peace to the hearers. If the hello is any indication, I'm going to really enjoy studying this book.
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