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Blessed Be God - 1Peter 1:3
Blessed Be God - 1Peter 1:3
The letter of 1 Peter has the reoccurring theme of suffering as God’s people. The various forms of ‘suffer’ appear some 17 times in this little letter.
Being able to deal with such suffering without losing one’s faith requires that this faith be deeply grounded upon a solid base. This base is laid out in verses 3-7 of the first chapter.
- God is to be praised.
- He provided His son Jesus for us.
- According to HIS mercy we have been born again
- to a living hope -
- to an inheritance -
- We are guarded by God’s power through our faith
- We anticipate this salvation, which comes in the last time.
Such ‘faith’ is NOT just believing some fact but is trusting God. We trust Him because we know what He has already done for us. We Trust Him because of what He has promised. We trust Him because HE is God. He is trustworthy because He is faithful (Lam. 3:22-23; Deut. 7:9; 32:4; Isa. 25:1; 49:7; 1Cor. 1:9; 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:18; 1Thess. 5:24; 2Thess. 3:3; Heb. 10:23; 11:11; 1John 1:9)!
THIS is the foundation that allows one to rejoice in suffering. Such suffering is the crucible that tests the very character of our faith. It is this faith that lets one look beyond the present time of suffering unto the glory and honor that will come later.
Is the foundation of your faith sufficient to rejoice in suffering as a Christian?
Hugh DeLong
