Articles
Blessed Be God
Blessed Be God
The letter of 1 Peter has the recurring 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
o to a living hope -
o to an inheritance -
· We are guarded by God’s power through our faith
· We anticipate this salvation, which comes in the last time.
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
1Peter 1:3-7 ESV
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, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 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, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 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.
