APR 7

1 Peter 1:3-9
Memorise 1 Peter 1:8
“… wherein ye greatly rejoice…”

In today’s passage, Peter spends the first three verses talking about the amazing and wonderful salvation that we have in Christ. He touches on God’s “abundant mercy” shown to us when we do not deserve it, the “lively hope” we have through the resurrection of Christ from the dead, the “inheritance incorruptible” that is waiting for us, and the fact that we are “kept by the power of God” with our salvation forever secure.

Peter then notes that it is because of all these reasons that “ye greatly rejoice”, referring to the people mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1. This shows us that the joy that Christians are supposed to have is not based on any common, earthly thing that can be obtained by effort. A few days ago, we learnt from Ephesians 2 that the salvation we have is given to us freely, and that we did not earn it. Here, Peter highlights just how marvellous that salvation is. This is the reason for our joy as Christians –that God has given this unspeakably great gift to us, even when we do not deserve it.

Are we generally joyful? As Christians, we have the greatest reason in the world to be joyful – we have salvation! It is a priceless treasure that cannot be bought, and once it has been given to us it can never be lost. It does not just ensure our deliverance from Hell, but also grants us the promise of eternal life in Heaven where we can enjoy fellowship with God forever.

But does this knowledge affect the way we feel on earth? It is all too easy for us to replace this heavenly joy with earthly joy if we focus on the things of the earth. If we are constantly fixed on the material enjoyments that we can find, then our joy will come and go with these material things. If our joy and happiness comes and goes depending on our worldly situation, then we are behaving exactly the same as unbelievers.

As Christians, we must be a joyful people. Being joyful does not mean to just wear a fake smile and pretend a happy and cheerful front to others all the time. What it means is that we are able to rejoice and give thanks to God even in the most dire situations, because we know that God is in control and has the best plan for my life – both now and for eternity. This is another fruit of the Spirit that shows we are leading a reformed life.

Thought: Do I know what salvation really means, and does the knowledge that I have it bring me joy?
Prayer: Lord, help me to rejoice in the salvation Thou hast given me.