Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 113th. Edition.
Dear Strangers and Aliens,
In today’s passage (1 Peter 1:8-9), Peter commends the Christians for their faith and assures them that it is not in vain that they believe.
Believing (v. 8). Christians love a savior they have not seen. Even after believing, we still do not see Jesus. Yet the joy of believing is inexpressibly great and glorious. Thomas demanded proof that he could see and touch (John 20:24-25). When that proof was provided and he believed, he was not commended but rather reprimanded with the admonition that “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Faith that does not waver is a source of great joy to the believer.
Becoming (v. 9). Faith yields results. The ultimate goal of faith is salvation. As we saw in our discussion in the previous passage, there are three stages of salvation: justification, sanctification, and glorification. The justification was accomplished the day we put our faith in Jesus as savior. Sanctification is currently ongoing (2 Corinthians 3:18) but glorification is yet to come (1 Corinthians 15:51). This is what we all yearn for. Peter says keep holding on.
Don’t give up it will happen. The final destination of faith is salvation. You keep believing, you will arrive.
In the face of persecution, this is to reassure us that we are still on course.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.