To God be all praise and glory! He cared enough for us that He planned for our salvation, knowing we would choose sin, before the world began…imagine a love so great! Faith alone pleases the Father and even faith was His free gift so that no man could think that it was his righteousness that deserved it. We are refined in the afflictions of this life if we hang on and do not let go of our faith in God to accomplish that which He began. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are changed bit by bit into the character of Jesus. We must remember joy In the Lord is our strength!
Our salvation is grounded in God's mercy, His act of compassion toward us despite our condition of sinfulness. The Greek word translated inheritance here suggests both a present and a future reality. God has already determined what we will one day experience in its totality. As the purity of gold is brought forth by intense heat, so the reality and purity of our faith are revealed as a result of the fiery trials we face. There is a final, positive outcome for trusting God through all the difficulties of life—our salvation.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment