Peter, in the midst of portraying to his readers the inheritance that is reserved for them in heaven, points out that they too, like the inheritance, are being kept (guarded over) by the power of God, for that day when salvation will be fully disclosed, 1 Peter 1:5-6. Peter says we are being “kept by the power of God through faith” even though the end and the reward may be difficult to see at present because of trials and distresses; it is through these that the genuineness of our faith is proven, verses 6-7. Jesus said, “he who endures to the end will be saved” Matthew 10:22. The term salvation is used in both the temporal and spiritual senses, however, the New Testament uses it especially for the spiritual, the eternal well being of believers. We presently have the assurance of salvation, as Zacharias prophesied in Luke 1:77, “To give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins”, and to this the Holy Spirit bears witness, Romans 8:16. Yet we are given the assurance of a fuller realization, the completing of our salvation in the future; in 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Paul writes of putting on “as a helmet the hope of salvation.” This is to focus our attention on the completion of our salvation! In Romans 8:24 Paul asks, “Why does one hope for what he sees?” Since our present salvation is experienced now it is no longer hope, it is reality now! So the hope of “salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” must be the completion of our present experience when “we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” 1 John 3:2. So we therefore look beyond the present circumstances to “receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls” 1 Peter 1:9. And in this confidence there is great rejoicing, yes, “joy inexpressible and full of glory” verses 6 and 8.
Faith For The Future
-By Rose Hill
We have faith in God’s saving power,
Ready to be revealed in the last hour.
Our faith in God is more precious than gold,
But it will be tested by fire we are told.
Our joy is full for in His presence we sit,
We love our Father though we don’t see Him yet.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. used by permission.