Musings and Contemplations

Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed: O come, let us adore him. Alleluia![1]

An indescribable and glorious joy

1 Peter 1:3-9 NRSV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Thomas Lea
Peter pictured salvation as based on the hope inspired by Jesus’ resurrection. This salvation produced an unfading and imperishable inheritance given to them by God. The believers are promised protection with God’s power through faith. The faith of Peter’s readers was deepened by their trial. These trials came because of their commitment to Jesus, they were a necessary part of their experience, and they could deepen their faith. The faith of the believers filled them with joy and brought them into living contact with Jesus.^[2]

David Wheaton
As Peter explains how rich a salvation believers enjoy he tells us that it comes from God’s great mercy, consists of new birth to new life and hope, brings about the resurrection, is made possible by Jesus Christ, and will lead to an inheritance. Salvation is described with reference to the past (Christians have been given new birth by God’s mercy), to the present (Christians are being shielded by God’s power) and to the future (at the last time will come the final deliverance from evil). These blessings from God can lead to rejoicing in the face of difficulties. The purpose of earthly trials is to sift out what is genuine in our faith. This in turn will bring praise, glory and honor, both to Jesus and the person who has suffered, on the day when Jesus is revealed.^[3]

Westminster Confession of Faith
Chapter 14 – “Of Saving Faith”
1
Othe grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, by which also, and by the administration of the sacraments and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.
2
The principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
3
This faith is different in degrees, weak or strong; may be often and many ways assailed, and weakened, but gets the victory; growing up in many to the attainment of a full assurance, through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.[4]

When Trials Come
When trials come, no longer fear,
For in the pain our God draws near
To a fire worth more than gold,
And there his faithfulness is told.
When I am weary with the cost,
I see the triumph of the cross.
So, in its shadow I shall run,
Till you complete the work begun.[5]

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.[6]

When Trials Come

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.[7]

[1] Antiphon for Easter, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019. P. 30.
^[2] Thomas D. Lea, “The General Letters,” in Holman Concise Bible Commentary, ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 635.
^[3] David H. Wheaton, “1 Peter,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1374.
[4] R. C. Sproul, Truths We Confess, Reformation Trust Publishing, 2019, p. 315.
[5] Words and music: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty © 2005 Thankyou Music Ltd.
[6] Collect for the second Sunday of Easter, Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 612.
[7] Colossians 3:1 ESV