Suffering and Glory

1 Peter 1:1-12 vv. 3-5 New birth and new life vv. 6-9 Joy in the midst of suffering vv. 10-12 Glory of salvation v. 3 – “new birth” –Peter (and Jesus) use this radical term to describe what has happened in the life of the believer. What has happened in the life of the believer is entirely new and different. It is nothing short of a new life. There is a decisive change. There is now in the believer a new and divine life. Why do we have this new life? It is because of Gods’ great mercy. By Christ’s great sacrifice and the power of God to resurrect him from the dead. The result of this new birth is hope. Hope is not wishful thinking. It is in view of the past that gives a certainty to the future. It has in mind the idea of waiting for something expected. It is a living hope, meaning it is active and will be brought to reality. It is a living hope, meaning it is made possible by Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Believers will rise from the dead just as Christ did. v. 4 – We also have hope of an inheritance. Christians are said to be heirs and to inherit incredible riches: eternal life, glory with Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Here, Peter is talking about the blessedness and glory of heaven of which the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a foretaste and a promise. Our inheritance cannot perish – used of a land that was not ravaged by an enemy or beyond the reach of an enemy. It cannot be destroyed. It lasts forever. Our inheritance can never spoil – it is not polluted or stained by sin; it is beyond the reach of evil and cannot be contaminated by it. It is pure and perfect. Our inheritance cannot fade – The word was used of withering flowers. Time does not wear on it. Its beauty is does not fade. It remains precious and untouched. Our inheritance is kept in heaven – It has the idea of being watched over and therefore safe. It is kept under God’s careful and omnipotent watch. v. 5 Not only is the inheritance guarded by God, but believers too are kept safe. The term shielded brings to mind a military protection, like people protected against an enemy by the fortified walls of a fort or a detachment of soldiers. In this case, the protection is not a potentially breachable wall. The protection here is the limitless power of God. “Our faith” lays hold of God’s power, and His power strengthens our faith and we are preserved. Salvation is a term that means rescue or deliverance. Here it is a spiritual rescue. Peter uses it here to mean our complete and final salvation. v. 6 “In this” meaning because of the new birth (hope, inheritance, and salvation) we have joy. “greatly rejoice” is a word that means “to be full of joy,” “overjoyed,” even “leap for joy.” This is a joy that exists in spite of grief, and that joy is even enhanced by grief. The NT teaching of the union of suffering and joy is distinct to Christianity and is a contrast to how the world views suffering. v. 8 – Our joy is inexpressible – human language is unable to adequately describe it. It is supreme joy. Our joy is glorious – Christian joy has a touch of glory or heaven in the midst of trials. Our joy is inspired by and is radiant with the glory that is yet to come. Our joy comes from the fact we’ve been reborn into a living hope and v. 9 - We are already receiving the goal of our faith: the salvation of our souls. v. 6 “Trials” is “temptations” (KJV) can mean inward enticements or outward trials. The word refers to adversities, afflictions, distresses. Trials are diverse – all kinds (means “many-colored”). Trials are “for a little while” – only while we live. “You may have had to suffer” There is a need for trials. Trials serve a purpose in the life of a believer. They bring out a genuineness of our faith. One day our genuine faith will bring praise, honor and glory. Trials have a purpose in your life. They refine our precious faith. Refining does away with what is impure, and leaves behind only the precious, pure metal. This will result in us receiving praise, glory and honor – sharing with our savior his glory.