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
13. In
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.