SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. [1 Peter 1:8-9]
Peter is writing to those who have believed in Jesus without having seen Him.
These believers are scattered all over the Roman Empire, and are being persecuted.
But they are hanging on to what they believe, because as Peter writes, He has given them a living hope and inexpressible joy.
He urges them to persevere in faith and holiness, to stay true to God so that they will one day receive “the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” [John 20:29]
Thomas had seen the resurrected Jesus, this made it easier for him to believe.
But for many believers, all they had was faith in someone they had not seen.
Jesus says that they deserve a special blessing.
Afterall, it’s hard to trust something that you cannot see, especially when you are suffering for it.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. [Hebrews 11:1]
To believe in Jesus is an act of faith.
It not only requires that we accept something as true that we cannot prove, it also demands a whole change in lifestyle, and in one’s quality of life.
These believers were being persecuted (quality of life) and were challenged to live holy lives (change of lifestyle).
We are also called to make and experience these changes for the sake of Jesus.
The benefit for this life-changing faith is a living hope and an inexpressible joy…
And one day, “the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

The Lord is calling us to live the life of faith (holiness and love), even if it makes life hard for us.
If I say I believe in Jesus, am I willing to make and experience the changes and challenges that go with believing in Him?
Though I have not seen Him, do I love Him that much?
Even though I cannot prove Him, will I persevere for Him?
Is my faith in the Jesus I cannot see the kind that leads me to make the changes and sacrifices that believing in Him requires?
I am asking these questions because I am sensing that I do not have this kind of faith.
I am feeling conviction as I read these words, and I want to face that conviction.
I want this kind of faith, I want this kind of love, I want this kind of hope, I want this kind of joy, I want this kind of holiness.

PRAYER:
Lord, reading these words today shows me the weakness of my own faith. But it also drives me towards it. I want this kind of faith, love, joy, hope, holiness!!!