1 Peter 1

Scripture

1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Observation-What does it say?

The letters of 1 & 2 Peter were written by “The Rock.” Not the wrestler, but the apostle. The one who was so zealous for the Lord, he was willing to cut off a man’s ear. He was also the one who denied knowing Jesus, not once but three times. He was the one who proclaimed the Lord’s salvation on the day of pentecost. It is also believed that Peter was crucified as a martyr for his profession of Jesus. Needles to say, Peter experienced his share of joy and tribulation as a Christian. In the beginning of his first letter, Peter writes to his audience about the joy to be found in following Jesus. He gives us two reasons to be filled with joy in this life, despite the possibility of suffering tribulation. “The first reason for our joy is the great future God promises us and his unswerving commitment to keep it for us and us for it. In other words, our joy is based on the happiness of our future with God and the certainty that we will make it there...The second reason is that God has a design for our distresses in this life”(John Piper).

Understanding-What does it mean?

For some reason, the phrase “the proof is in the pudding” has surfaced several times in my life recently. Whether the source be from a pod-cast I am listening to, an article I’m reading, or a colleague of mine saying the phrase, it has been circling around in my life recently. While I think it’s a strange phrase, and even though I like pudding, I always find it gross to think about. It’s as if I have to reach my hand into a bowl of pudding to find some sort of clue or evidence of something. I can be a little weird about textures.But, in our faith, the proof is more than just in the pudding. Our faith is evidenced by the way we love others. Our love of others is in response to the great love that God bestows on us as adopted children and heirs to the kingdom (1 John 4:19, Romans 8:17). It’s because we have our hope set on the kingdom of heaven that we can find joy in the unpleasant but temporary circumstances here on earth (James 1:2-4). It is also this faith that is the evidence of heaven (Hebrews 11:1).

Life Application

Jesus, help me to show my hope through loving others. In times of distress, uncertainty, or financial hardship, help me to seek out others to show your love to. And when I start feeling as though I can’t make it, help me to know I can lean on your understanding.

-Tyler Galloway