Marriage and Family Meditations XLVIII (48)
Psalm 104:34 May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD.
Cornerstone Ministries Napa Valley
Christian Relationships
Marriage–Christ and the Church
Encouragement in Trials
Dear Family and Friends,
Sometimes it seems like everything is falling apart and the whole world is against us; even those closest to us seem to be against us and we feel like we are holding on by a thread. The people who rule over us politically, socially, and economically, can be, or seem to be, tyrannical. And in these times, when we are not responding to one another in a godly way, we can begin to even doubt our relationship with our Creator. While ministering to people in the past I have asked some individuals who say they are Christians if they died that day if they know that they are going to heaven. Shockingly, some because of their current circumstance would say, “I don’t know”. Because of lack of understanding or errant thinking we can begin question if we are indeed God’s children.
In 1Peter, the Apostle is writing to the Christians who were suffering in the dispersion. He is seeking to remind them of who they are in Christ and to encourage and strengthen them, to focus them on their relationship with God through Jesus Christ and with one another. I would like to follow up the previous relationship meditations we have been considering with a series of studies in this epistle. We will focus on Peter’s advice and counsel to the Church about our relationships with God and with one another.
1 Peter 1:1 – 12 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith–the salvation of your souls.
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven–things which angels desire to look into.
Peter in the beginning of his letter reminds them that it is “God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope.” This was done through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… Our inheritance is “incorruptible and undefiled, it will never fade away, God has reserved it in heaven for each of us “who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation” (we are born through the resurrection and kept by His power, by believing in His offer of salvation)
What wonderful assuring words we have not only here, but through out the Bible, for we have a common faith in God with the prophets of old and with the Apostles and disciples who walked with Jesus seeing the “fulfillment of the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow” with more glories yet to be seen.
I would encourage you all to read through Peter’s letter and consider (meditate on) the powerful impact that our relationship with our loving God and Creator can and should have on our lives as we fully meditate on the enormous blessings and love that God has poured out on us.
If you have questions or thoughts on some of the ideas and teachings in this blog please feel free to make comments here or email me at vinceasaro@sbcglobal.net
Be blessed and encouraged in the Love of Jesus… Vince