The glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 1:3-12

I shared last week that one of the reasons I felt compelled to study the book of 1 Peter was that

We need to rekindle the desires, direction, and way of life God gives to those He saves.

Today we focus intently on salvation, and its my hope that our emphasis on the work of God and the mercy He has shown to us will bear the fruit of renewal in our hearts and minds.

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

-1 Peter 1:3-5

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

-1 Peter 1:3-5

This is pretty straight forward… Peter praises God, and makes sure that we see the centrality of Jesus Christ.

But, why does Peter say we should praise God? Is it because He is holy, righteous, mighty, powerful, etc… well, yes God is all those things. But, Peter has a specific cause for praise… and His cause for praise is one that he hopes to pass on to his readers. He is giving them example and instruction in the first few words… and the reason why is in the next sentence.

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

-1 Peter 1:3-5

According to his great mercy…

this means that what God has done is not what is deserved. God has not acted according to his justified wrath on unrighteous sinners… instead God has acted according to His mercy… and in His mercy

…he has caused us to be born again.

Peter praises God for the salvation that He gives to undeserving sinners.

Eternal life is not the result of our works… because as sinners we deserve judgment and wrath… but, as we just said salvation is the result of God’s mercy… it means that God initiates and gives new life… there is no other way for sinners who are dead in their sin to have eternal life than according to God’s mercy and at His initiation.

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

-1 Peter 1:3-5

Peter is

We are born again to a hope that we can depend on, a living hope in a living Savior.

Trusting in Christ is not a wasted effort, the hope is real and genuine because Jesus is alive.

Peter is writing to hive hope to people going through trials and difficulties… and to give them Hope he points them to the truth. That, even though it might feel like following Christ isn’t worth it, or it might even feel like it is accomplishing anything- and if that’s the case you may be tempted to give up…

Peter offers a sincere and genuine hope to those who feel hopeless, and the basis for your hope is in the work of Christ, in particular His resurrection.

Peter emphasizes that regardless of our circumstances the work of Christ is not in vain and in the next phrase He tells us that we are born again to everlasting inheritance.

Because of the resurrection of Christ, they can even take our lives and we have hope and a future to look forward too… and that is what the next phrase is about.

"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

-1 Peter 1:3-5

Another reason we are studying this book is because We need to be reminded that this world is not our home.

Peter consistently emphasizes who we are- meaning he emphasizes that our identity is found in belonging to God’s kingdom… and that because we have a living hope, a living Savior who has given us new life, who caused us to be born again… Because of who we are the home we yearn for is not this world… we yearn and look forward to what Peter calls here an inheritance.

And this inheritance is described by three different words, but before we look at those I want to point out where the security or certainty of the inheritance lies… Peter says that this inheritance is kept in heaven for you… and the word kept is written in greek in such a way that it points to God as the one who is doing the keeping.

To struggling, persecuted, and potentially faltering believers Peter writes to establish their hope and their confidence in the promise and work of God in their lives.

He tells them that the inheritance they will receive is one that will not end. Like the Savior who conquered death, the inheritance that God gives to those who are His is one that will not end, it cannot spoil or lose its luster, and it will never fade. The promise of eternal life is the promise of hope for those who trust and depend on Jesus Christ… and God has promised to keep it for you until the end… but Peter says that salvation is more than just something that God is keeping for us until the end…

Peter emphasizes one more thing about salvation… He has made sure to teach that we have hope, we have certainty and confidence, and in this next phrase of verse 5 we find that the salvation that God is keeping for us until the last day is combined with faith that endures until the end.

Peter says in verse 5,

”3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

-1 Peter 1:3-5

The “who” are those who are born again, those who are waiting for the inheritance being kept for them until the last day… and God helps us to see here that those who are saved are guarded through their faith in Christ by the power of God until the end.

The truth of God’s sovereignty does not diminish the faith of anyone, instead the truth of God’s sovereignty serves as the foundation for the hope of sinners. For if not for the mercy of God then there will be no basis for the extension of the grace of God. And if not for the grace and mercy of God then there would be no faith in God.

The truth is that God does not promise to shield believers from trials and suffering, but God does shield believers from unbelief and sustains their faith until they receive the promised inheritance in the end.

People use different phrases to talk about salvation and the promise of God to guard our faith until the end. One of those phrases is “once saved, always saved.” And, it is a true statement… it’s true as long we mean that those who are saved continue in their faith to the end.

Now, this does not mean that those who are saved will not sin again, or even have doubts in life. No, what this means is that those who are saved will persevere through their doubts and continue in faith. It means that those who are saved continue to repent and strive to live for the Lord until the end.

Faith is not a single isolated act, it is a continuing trust, dependence, and belief in God and the Gospel.

“Obtaining the final inheritance therefore does not bypass human beings, as if we are mere automatons in the process. Believers must exercise faith to receive final salvation. Faith here is “continuing trust or faithfulness.”21 Peter did not conceive of faith as a single isolated act; genuine faith persists until the day of redemption.”

The truth that God guards our faith according to His power is not something to run from, it is a promise meant to provide comfort and hope.

How do you make it through the trial and suffering? By the power of God. What sustains the faith of believer who is beset with doubt and struggle? The power of God does.

This truth does not mean that someone can fall away from sincere or genuine faith. It does mean that trials will test the genuineness of your faith.

Look with me at the next set of verses…

"6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

- 1 Peter 1:6-9 (ESV)

"6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

- 1 Peter 1:6-9 (ESV)

Peter tells us to rejoice in our trials because they are temporary for the believer… and because they demonstrate the genuineness of your faith.

Jesus tells the parable of the four soils in Matthew 13:1–9 (ESV),

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

When Jesus explained the parable to his disciples he told them three different scenarios that are not genuine faith, and one that is. The one that is genuine is the one that bear fruit and are sustained through the heat of the sun, the attacks of the enemy, and the temptations and distractions of the world.

How do you know if you have faith? You have it, that’s how you know… you don’t lose it, you repent of your sin, you trust God when its hard and doesn’t make sense.

And the result of genuine faith is a life that glorifies God in the midst of hard and difficult trials and struggles.

And not only through the struggles but in the end when Jesus returns, because real faith is faith that endures to the end.

! Peter 1:8 says,

"6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

- 1 Peter 1:6-9 (ESV)

You might think, it had to be easier for those who saw Jesus to believe and endure the trials they faced… But, the people Peter is writing too had never seen Jesus. They lived in Asia Minor and were not there in person with Jesus as he lived, died, and was resurrected.

But, they love Him and they believe in Him and they rejoice… but Jesus had something to say about those who would believe in Him without seeing Him… and Peter is reinforcing that here to his readers.

John 20:24–29 (ESV) says,

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Peter tells them that they have not seen Him, and they do not see Him now, but he points forward to the time when they will see Him…

And Peter ties the return of Christ to their salvation because that is when promise will be full and final. Peter is intentionally pointing them away from the situation at hand to the future that is in God’s hands.

He wants them to lean into their hope and the future that God has promised, and to do that he reminds them that though we do not see Him now, we can rejoice as if He is here with us because our faith in Christ has achieved salvation for us.

And, this truth concerning Jesus is at the center of God’s redemptive plan and history… Look at 1 Peter 1:10-12

“10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.”

- 1 Peter 1:10-12 (ESV)

“This salvation” refers to the promise of God through Jesus Christ. And, Peter connects the dots that the future they are looking forward to is the same salvation that God promised in the past.

The suffering and crucifixion of the Messiah was predicted in the past, but has now been fulfilled through Jesus Christ.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.”

- 1 Peter 1:10-12 (ESV)

This doesn’t mean that the OT prophets do not benefit from the cross of Christ, but it means that the same Holy Spirit that gave them the prophecies of the Messiah is at work in the preaching of the Good news of Jesus Christ.

In the midst of their suffering, Peter reminds them that their Savior suffered, and that they are blessed to suffer on the other side of the cross of Christ. Their hope has been realized through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, no matter how hard and difficult their trials may be, their hope is sure because they know who the prophets did not even know, they know the one who was promised and they have the security and certainty of their future inheritance in Him.

This is a lot of deep truths in these verses, so here’s a few ways that we can practically respond to what we have heard.

Action/Application

Praise God for His mercy and your salvation

Rejoice in the testing of your faith through trials

- persevere

Revel in the Gospel of Christ

Revel means “to take great pleasure in…”

Why do we take great pleasure in the gospel of Christ?

it’s true It was proclaimed to us and the means by which God has brought us to faith in Jesus Christ, therefore saved us.

We need to rekindle… and that happens when God and the good news are where we find our delight

Center your life on Jesus Christ

He is the at the center of the good news from the beginning until the end It is by His blood It is through His resurrection

Notes, Quotes, & Commentary

Peter added that believers are protected “through faith” (dia pisteōs). Obtaining the final inheritance therefore does not bypass human beings, as if we are mere automatons in the process. Believers must exercise faith to receive final salvation. Faith here is “continuing trust or faithfulness.”21 Peter did not conceive of faith as a single isolated act; genuine faith persists until the day of redemption.22 But if receiving the inheritance is dependent upon human faith, is it possible that some will fall short and be judged rather than saved?

There is no final salvation apart from continued faith, and thus faith is a condition for obtaining the eschatological inheritance.23 It is imperative to understand that God’s protection cannot be kept in a separate compartment from our believing. We can get at the issue by asking, “How are we protected through God’s power?” All of 1 Peter clarifies that we are not exempted from suffering or even death because of the power of God since the church experiences persecution. God’s power does not shield believers from trials and sufferings, but it does protect us from that which would cause us to fall away. What would prevent us from maintaining our allegiance to Christ until the end? Surely the answer is sin, and we know that sin stems from unbelief—in failing to hope in God during our earthly sojourn. God’s power, to be effective at all, must guard us from sin and unbelief.

21 Michaels, 1 Peter, 23.

22 D. Horrell points out that it is possible that the reference here is to God’s faithfulness, though he concludes (rightly in my view) that a reference to the faith of believers probably is more likely in context (cf. 1:7–9; see “Whose Faith[fulness] Is It in 1 Peter 1:5?” JTS 48 [1997]: 110–15).

23 My discussion here comes from The Race Set Before Us, 246–47.

Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, vol. 37, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003), 64–65.