OUR SALVATION (I Pet. 1:8-12)

This is a truly exciting passage of Scripture. Peter is addressing people just like you and me today who cannot visibly see Jesus. That made little difference because of believing in him and as a result they were filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. When something is inexpressible it is beyond words or beyond description. Something that is glorious defies description as well. That’s the joy a Christian experiences because he is receiving the goal of his (your) faith, the salvation of your souls (I Pet. 1:8-9)-.

What an encouraging and even exhilarating couple of verses for a people undergoing the trials of intense suffering. It is shameful that today we too often take this great gift of God for granted. Our salvation came at incredible cost which Peter continues to remind us as well as his readers for all times (1:11, 18-19; 2:21, 24 & 5:13) of the sufferings of Jesus that made salvation possible.

JESUS SAVES
There is but one source for salvation (Heb. 5:6-8). This is absolutely true because all have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and because of that were dead in. . transgressions and sins (Eph. 2:1). All our sin has caused a separation between people (us) and God (Isa. 59:1-2). When we were powerless and still lost in sin (Rom. 5:8-10) God sent His Son (Jno. 3:16) so we might have life.

Salvation is God’s gift that can be found only in Christ. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). There is only one way to the Father and that is through Christ (Jno. 14:6).

PERSONAL SALVATION
Just because one wants salvation does not mean he will be saved. It is our faith in Jesus and His sacrifice in our behalf that saves us. Paul says we are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood (Rom 3:24-25). We must have faith to please God (Heb. 11:6) and God saves us by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-10). Peter, agreeing fully with what Paul wrote in Romans 6:3-4, says that it is baptism that now saves you also. . . How? It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (3:21).

Let’s see if we have this all straight. It takes grace to save us; it takes faith to save us; and, it takes baptism to save us. You’ve heard all the arguments against baptism. Primarily it is viewed as a work of man. Why not view it like God does. It is His work just like faith is His work (Jno. 8:29). Aren’t you glad He lets us participate in His works (Eph. 2:10)? Would you say one of them is not as important as the other? If you have a problem with the importance of baptism in God’s plan to redeem mankind your argument is against God and His Word.

THE PROPHETS
The prophets wanted to know all the circumstances of God’s great salvation. For centuries before the birth of Christ the prophets had been announcing his coming. There are hundreds of prophesies concerning the Messiah (Christ) in the Old Testament. This is part of what makes the Bible the most reliable book in the world. Those prophecies all came true.

What if you had been one of those prophets? Wouldn’t you have wanted to know what the prophecies meant and when they would happen? All the prophets could do was see it all from a great distance in time and just wonder what all these marvelous things meant.

It really adds to the marvelous nature of that salvation to know that when the prophets gave these predictions regarding our salvation they were actually serving us from afar. Peter’s original readers were recipients of all these good things when the gospel was preached to them (1:12).

EVEN ANGELS?
Yes, even the angels longed to look into these things regarding such a great salvation. Doesn’t this tell us how very important our salvation really is? Even the angels were captivated by what salvation was all about.

I just wonder what angels are privy to that we don’t even know about. I guess that all we can conclude is that if even the angels were longing to know about all these things, salvation can’t be something we can easily take for granted. What do you think?

INSPIRED
All Scripture is God-breathed. . .(II Tim. 3:16). God-breathed means it is inspired; it came from God. Isn’t it great to know we have a message straight from heaven? Peter tells us the Holy Spirit sent the gospel preached to these readers from heaven. That is no different than saying it is God-breathed.

So, the gospel is not the product of the mind of man, but comes to us from heaven. Jesus promised this while he was here on earth. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (Jno. 14:26).

THINK IT OVER
Why don’t you stop right now and read I Peter 1 again. While you read think only about the marvelous salvation God has prepared for us. Isn’t it great?