“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9receiving as the result [the outcome, the consummation] of your faith, the salvation of [a]your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 AMP
The apostle Peter opens his letter with a reminder of the great privilege we have to be found whole and complete in Christ!
“Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above–spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4[born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time”
1 Peter 1:3-5 AMP
The saving work of the Holy Spirit has one purpose, “…the salvation of your soul.” There is so much focus today on what one can receive from God should he or she decided to follow Jesus. Sometimes I feel like I am at the car dealer with the salesman trying to add more and more benefits so I will finally not be able to refuse. While there are great benefits to being a member of the Kingdom of God, we must never forget that this great salvation we have is for the last moment that we are on planet earth! I have often asked our congregation, “If you never receive a blessing rom heaven again, is it enough that your name is written in the Lambs book of life?” Look at the words Peter used to describe the gift of salvation,
“…[born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,.”
1 Peter 1:4 AMP
Paul gave these words of wisdom regarding our salvation.
“Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 3For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, [a]appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
running_for_eternity-title-2-Wide 16x9Colossians 3:1-4 AMP
Can you see those words?
“2Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].” Colossians 3:2 AMP
While I certainly love the showers of blessing from heaven, they should never become the reason for my serving our Lord! We have been given great and exceedingly wonderful promises from God but they are not bargaining chips to convince people that life in Christ is more enjoyable than life in the devil! The hard reality is that our sin cost Him, a great price! The key to receiving the blessings of God, which, by the way, are more about internal contentment than external pleasure, is an acknowledgement that one is a sinner and in need of a Savior. The reality is that many do not want to hear the truth about their condition. In writing to the church at Corinth, the Apostle addressed this fact.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1;18 AMP
There are only two possible outcomes from an encounter with God. One leads to life everlasting with Him and the other to life everlasting in torment and separation from. Its your choice! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken