1 Peter 1:1-12 ~ Inexpressible Joy

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Day 2
Observations

  •  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 (v3)
  • inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you (v4)
  • who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice (v5-6a)
  • though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials (v6b)
  • 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 (v7)
  • Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (v8-9)


Meaning

  • When we trust Christ and accept his holy spirit we are born again, not just to ourselves and sin again - no, but to a new living hope through the resurrection  of Jesus Christ. This means we now have peace with God
  • Our inheritance when we are born again is nothing of this world - since it is absolutely perfect. It is stored in heaven where it will never perish or fade
  • We can rejoice because it is actually God who guards us through faith - waiting for when Jesus returns and our salvation
  • However, we are warned that there will be trials while on this earth. And not only this, we should expect to be be grieved by them
  • But we should rejoice because these trials will help strengthen our genuine faith. When we go through these trials of 'fire', the result may be praise and glory when we see Jesus Christ
    • Our trials point us and allow us to grow in Christ because we depend on him even more
  • We should obtain 'inexpressible joy' when we consider what Christ has done and what it means for me - the salvation of my soul


Application

  1. Trials point me to Christ - they allow me to sharpen and strengthen my faith - praise God that he uses them to allow me to depend on him even more
  2. I should expect to suffer and be grieved in this life - that's the cost of following Christ
  3. Through this suffering, there is hope and joy. Knowing that Christ has paid it all should bring me great joy
Prayer:
Sorry for forgetting your payment on the cross. That I'm unable to be filled with the joy you've called me to live with because of the cross. Lord help me find joy, not in the things of this world or in the busyness of my life, but in the work that you've already done. I pray that I would continue to devote my life to sitting at your feet and reading your Word - in order that I might grow to love you as my father and saviour. I thank you that I have eternal life because of the resurrection and that the holy spirit has allowed me to be born again to this new living hope and peace.

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