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The Blessings of the Resurrection – Week 36 / September 2nd
“To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood. Grace and peace be yours in abundance. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1Peter 1:1-9
The passage of 1 Peter speaks to us about appropriating the life that Jesus has given to us by virtue of His resurrection from the dead. It is a very important passage because it reminds us of the “tools” that God uses to fashion our lives into the image of His Son. Our journey as Christians is interesting and sometimes challenging but we are a “work in process” and in the end we are being fitted for heavenly and eternal work. The full extent of this has not yet been revealed as now we are to be preoccupied with living for Christ! (1John3:2-3)
1. Position (v3-5)
By the resurrection we are:
(a) Born again-to a living hope. (1John3:9)
(b) Promised an undefiled inheritance…….and,
(c) Protected by the power of God. (1John5:18)
2. Possession (v6-7)
What God says about us must become what goes establishes in us and knows about us. The man of God’s faith-(trust in, walk with and reflection of Jesus)-in God is fashioned through “if need be” trials! We have to learn patience and waiting upon God. (Hebrews10:35-39) Being born again has consequences that have to be walked out.
Note: 1John 2:29; 3:9; 5:1; 5:4; 5:18.
3. Praise (v6a;7b;8)
The passage speaks of our praise of God and God’s praise of our faith walk. Praise is an aspect of worship and worship is defined as, “mans’ response to the self-revelation of God.” Worship then is ascriptive in that it describes the worth of God. Thus the word worship comes from the old English word “worthship!” Praise that truly describes who God is puts God into right perspective in our lives. (Psalm68:32-35) That is, He remains at all times bigger than the trials and struggles that we face. It therefore keeps us on track. When we no longer see God in this way we focus on the issue and get overwhelmed sometimes with tragic results.
Note Romans1:21.
Malcolm Hedding
©Malcolm Hedding Ministries
2012Devotional