1 Peter 1:8-12
Today's Passage: 1 Peter 1:8-12
Peter spends this first chapter reminding his readers of the object of the gospel: the Lord Jesus Christ. While there is great merit in reminiscing on WHAT the gospel is (v. 3-7), there is also great benefit on focusing our attention to the source of the gospel: the Triune God.
In response to the good news laid out plainly in the beginning verses, Peter zooms in from verses 8-12 in a way that causes our hearts to enlarge toward the source of the gospel. He does this by laying out two distinct parts of orthodox Christianity:
Love and belief (v. 8).
This is the heart of the gospel. Love means more than intellectual agreement with a set of rules or truths and intends to center on affection, not just agreement. People can know the information of the gospel, but true Christianity is an expressed LOVE for the God of the gospel.
In the same way, belief means more than fact. Some of Aesop’s fables are entertaining, but we don’t believe them. Legends and myths grab our attention, but do not necessitate belief. God doesn’t want us to be entertained by the gospel, He desires that we believe it! This concoction of love and belief is essential to true Christian conversion and living.
What does Peter say is the result of love and belief?
Then Peter reveals a deep thought into the lives of the prophets who forespoke of the coming of Christ and specifically states that “they were not serving themselves but you.” (v. 12) What Peter means is that they spoke of the coming of Jesus and the subsequent salvation he would bring, but these prophets never got to see it with their own eyes. How incredible of their willingness to speak of a Savior of whom they would never meet on this earth?!
And then the most beautiful piece (to me) of this passage is found in the last part of verse 12.
“things which angels long to look.” We often think: “what would it be like to be an angel?” (by the way, people don’t become angels, that number was predetermined by God already). This verse seems to hint that angels might be thinking: “what would it be like to be a human?!”
We don’t have time to dig into this much, but Peter reminds his readers that salvation is such a beautiful gift of God through Jesus Christ that angels cannot help but gaze into the wonder of it and marvel!
This gospel that the angelic beings themselves long to see is given to those who love God and believe in Jesus Christ. Is that you? Have you gotten past the point of the information of the gospel and found yourself in complete love with God and belief in Jesus Christ?
If so, rejoice (as Paul says)! Your soul has received the prophesied salvation of the Messiah! If you are in a relationship with Jesus, consider this:
WOW! Now THAT is reason for inexpressible joy!
Written By: Drew Dukes
Peter spends this first chapter reminding his readers of the object of the gospel: the Lord Jesus Christ. While there is great merit in reminiscing on WHAT the gospel is (v. 3-7), there is also great benefit on focusing our attention to the source of the gospel: the Triune God.
In response to the good news laid out plainly in the beginning verses, Peter zooms in from verses 8-12 in a way that causes our hearts to enlarge toward the source of the gospel. He does this by laying out two distinct parts of orthodox Christianity:
Love and belief (v. 8).
This is the heart of the gospel. Love means more than intellectual agreement with a set of rules or truths and intends to center on affection, not just agreement. People can know the information of the gospel, but true Christianity is an expressed LOVE for the God of the gospel.
In the same way, belief means more than fact. Some of Aesop’s fables are entertaining, but we don’t believe them. Legends and myths grab our attention, but do not necessitate belief. God doesn’t want us to be entertained by the gospel, He desires that we believe it! This concoction of love and belief is essential to true Christian conversion and living.
What does Peter say is the result of love and belief?
- Inexpressible Joy (v. 8)
- The salvation of our souls (v. 8)
Then Peter reveals a deep thought into the lives of the prophets who forespoke of the coming of Christ and specifically states that “they were not serving themselves but you.” (v. 12) What Peter means is that they spoke of the coming of Jesus and the subsequent salvation he would bring, but these prophets never got to see it with their own eyes. How incredible of their willingness to speak of a Savior of whom they would never meet on this earth?!
And then the most beautiful piece (to me) of this passage is found in the last part of verse 12.
“things which angels long to look.” We often think: “what would it be like to be an angel?” (by the way, people don’t become angels, that number was predetermined by God already). This verse seems to hint that angels might be thinking: “what would it be like to be a human?!”
We don’t have time to dig into this much, but Peter reminds his readers that salvation is such a beautiful gift of God through Jesus Christ that angels cannot help but gaze into the wonder of it and marvel!
This gospel that the angelic beings themselves long to see is given to those who love God and believe in Jesus Christ. Is that you? Have you gotten past the point of the information of the gospel and found yourself in complete love with God and belief in Jesus Christ?
If so, rejoice (as Paul says)! Your soul has received the prophesied salvation of the Messiah! If you are in a relationship with Jesus, consider this:
- You have what the prophets never got to experience but hoped for.
- You have what the angels will never get to experience but long for.
WOW! Now THAT is reason for inexpressible joy!
Written By: Drew Dukes
1 Comment
This is great &beautiful explanation for the LOVE of GOD. And 1 Peter1:8-12. Thanks for sharing.