1 Peter 1:1-12
Saturday, 19 November 2022
“…for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”– 1Peter 1:9
The salvation of our souls is the goal of our faith in Jesus Christ, who is the author of our salvation. Apostle Peter exhorts believers to persevere in their faith and expectantly wait for the consummation of their salvation even though they are going through various troubles.
Our reading today points to the various aspects of our salvation:
1. Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God (V.2)
There is nothing one can boast about being a recipient of salvation- it is by grace alone! Eph. 2:8 says: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. All we can do is to thank Him for His gift! We who were once far away from God, enemies with Him, have been brought near to Him, reconciled by Christ alone!
2. Sanctified by the Holy Spirit(V.2)
Once we are brought to Christ and we accept His lordship in our lives, the Holy Spirit takes residence in us and helps us to be transformed daily as we yield to Him. His work is a sanctifying work of a lifetime. “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” (2Thess.2:13)
3. Cleansed by the Blood of Christ(V.2)
Our sins can never be forgiven unless we are cleansed by the blood of Christ which He shed for the remission of our sins. Revelation 1:5 speaks of Christ who purifies us by His blood: “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood…” Christ’s blood is uncorrupted as He was sinless and offered Himself as one without any sin and therefore acceptable to God as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Peter writes: “…you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
4. Birthed into a living hope (V.3)
The hope for a Christian is not only for this life (1 Cor.15:9) but one that is yet to come because he/she has been made spiritually alive in Christ. Hence there is a constant hope of the appearing of the Lord Jesus: “…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:13)
5. An inheritance in heaven (V.4)
The inheritance or possessions we have on this earth is temporal but the one that never spoils or fades away is in heaven- it is eternally secure in Christ. This should help us to keep our focus less on the earth and more on our life heavenward.
6. Foretold by the prophets (V.10)
Several scriptures in the Old Testament speak of Christ the Redeemer, one who would save His people from their sin. Jesus Himself mentioned to the Jews of His day: “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He knew I was coming and was glad.” John 8:56 TLB)—it was the eternal Lamb of God would one day be sacrificed to bring salvation to many.
Brothers and sisters, how great a salvation has been provided for us through our Lord Jesus Christ! Today would you thank Him for His great gift to you? If you are someone who hasn’t received it yet, would you surrender your life to Christ so He can cleanse you from sin and bring you to this living hope that you would be filled with His inexpressible and glorious joy?
Quote for the Day: “Though the Bible was written over sixteen centuries by at least forty authors, it has one central theme--salvation through faith in Christ.” ~ Max Lucado
Listen - 'At Calvary'
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