Study of First Peter                                        Lesson 8

Review:

 

 

Summary

1. As believers we are to rejoice in and look with anticipation of this "last time," the revelation of Jesus Christ.

 

2. Even though in time (right now) we will experience tests and suffering "since it is necessary."

 

3. The testing of one's faith for approval indicates that these tests, trials, difficulties, suffering that are in view are undeserved suffering.

 

4. Experiencing these types of tests should not catch the believer off guard - by surprise.     1 Pet 4:12

 

5. Just as the goldsmith refines the impurities from gold with fire,  God uses the tests, the circumstances of life (CHP's)  as the fire that refines us as believers and our faith.

 

6. True faith, that is, content in ones thinking that is in agreement with the Word, like pure gold endures no matter how hot the fire.

 

7. Testing of  one's faith works for the benefit of the believer not against us.

 

8. It is in the struggle against difficulty, the CHP's of life and opposition that spiritual stamina is developed.

 

9. God uses the tests / trials of life as a vehicle for us to develop spiritually which only occurs as we orient to and apply our faith, in the known doctrine during the circumstances of life.

 

10. Patience is a key to other blessings à in James 1:2-4 we noted that it leads to maturation.

 

11. Faith  plus patience / perseverance leads to our inheritance, eternal blessing/rewards.  Heb 6:11-12

 

12. Paul tells us that these tests are but momentary light affliction - easy to bear when compared to the glory, eternal weight of glory that's ours for eternity, HOPE (elpis).          2 Cor 4:17

 

13.  In Rom. 15:4 Paul relates the importance of the Word having been taught and understood. It becomes the source of encouragement and through patient endurance results in HOPE.

 

14.  As believers respond to doctrine throughout history often in the midst of great trouble and difficulty and realize the grace benefits that God has provided, (blessing - security - provision) even in that situation;  God is demonstrating to Satan during this time,  the appeals process of the angelic conflict, that He is fair and just in dealing with His creatures and therefore is justified in judging Satan. (Mt 25:41)

 

1:8  Peter shifts from a focus on the return of Christ (1:7) to our present relationship with Him.

 

and though you have not seen Him,    lit. whom (LJC) not having seen

 

 

 

Even though they haven't seen Him, Peter says you love Him 

 

- the love here refers to them being occupied with Christ, that is love based on content of their soul, their f/o/r

 

Being Occupied with Christ has results, great benefit for the Believer.

1. You will become grace oriented as you develop a close relationship with Him. Psa 37:4-5

 

2. Your every step will be directed by God.  Psa 16:11

 

3. You will develop stability in life,  inner happiness/contentment and capacity for life.   Psa 16:8,9

 

4. Therefore those who truly love Him, are occupied with Him in life will be able to handle prosperity as well as suffering, whatever the CHP's  they run into during life.

 

 

and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him,

 

- Peter by using 2 present participles (seeing; believing)  plus the temporal adverb  is stressing the reality of their ongoing commitment to the unseen Christ.

 

 

you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

 

What is being described here  is the result of coming to know and realize in your life what you have in Christ, what your destiny is in Him.

 

The greater your capacity to understand what is yours in Christ and to appreciate that, the greater the joy in your life but also the greater the glory to Him.