6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 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, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Scripture Quotations
Vs 6-9 In this we rejoice, of God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ having begotten us again (that is caused us to be born again by the Spirit of God) to a living hope, by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Therefore the joy of salvation that we have in us, of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (and thus being saved by the grace of God), is a joy in us as a fruit of the Spirit of God within us, because of Jesus Christ's permanent Presence in our lives. For not until one is born again by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person do they experience the love, joy and peace of God within themselves, which is experienced when we are in fellowship other believers, but also when we are by ourselves. Therefore though our faith is tested by fire, by various trials and tribulations which God permits in our lives as we journey home with Him, which ultimately help purify/refine us; both individually and the church collectively; and thus make us greater partakers of the fullness of Jesus Christ's salvation; both of the grace, the glories, and even the sufferings (consider Rom 8:17).
Therefore knowing God's good intentions for us all we rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person regardless of our circumstances; though having not seen, we love, because we know Him whom we have believed, and thus received into our hearts and lives (John 1:12; Rev 3:20); and thus whom we have committed our souls too (2 Tim 1:12). For it is the Lord Jesus Christ and Him alone who is is our Rock and our salvation. The King of the Nations who rules and abides in us forever. Therefore we rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory at remembrance of Him and His Person in our lives. Thanking Him for all that He has done, and continues to do in us, and through us, and even for us. For just as we are saved by the Word of the Lord, called elect according to the foreknowledge of God, we are also being preserved by the Word of the Lord which alone stands and endures forever. And thus we shall receive the end of our faith, the salvation of souls (vs. 9). That is salvation in all of it's fullness. Where all that is now imperfect in us and about us becomes Perfect, as we will then bear the image of the Heavenly Man no longer bound to this corrupted and perishing mortal flesh which shall then be fully transformed for everlasting life! (1 Cor 15:48-58).
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
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