◄ What Does 1 Peter 1:6 Mean? ►

Peter rejoices to tell us that we are born to glory, saved to glory, and kept for glory. But he also reminds us that we are being prepared for glory by the things that we suffer in this temporal and passing life.

We too should rejoice that as the elect of God, we are set apart for God and are being sanctified by the Spirit of God. And we should live in obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ so that His grace and peace may be multiplied to all who are called by His name.

It is only by God's abundant mercy that we have come to this living hope in Christ and, by God's grace, have been endowed with an inheritance that is incorruptible and will never fade away.

We should rejoice in our calling and our birth, our salvation, and our sanctification, knowing that death has been conquered, and we are kept by the power of God unto good works and words.

The paradox of our faith is that we can rejoice in the midst of our suffering and distresses. The mystery of our call to glory is that we can rejoice greatly despite our trials and losses, because we have an unfailing hope in our eternal inheritance and the glorious redemption of our bodies, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And so, like Peter, let us "greatly rejoice - even though now for a little while, if necessary, we are being distressed by various trials."

Heavenly Father, thank You that I have been given a new birth and a living hope through the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. As I am being prepared for the coming glories of my heavenly home, help me to rejoice in my future hope despite the distresses of life’s various trials. May I keep a heavenly perspective, knowing that You have promised to keep me by Your mighty power. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.