1 Peter 1:6-9 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations:… I. WHAT OF SALVATION IS RECEIVED HERE? 1. The whole of it by the grip of faith and the grace of hope. 2. The absolute and final pardon of sin is ours at this moment. 3. Deliverance from slavish bondage, and from a sense of awful distance from God is a present relief. Peace, reconciliation, contentment, fellowship with God, and delight in God, we enjoy at this hour. 4. Rescue from the condemning power of sin is now complete. 5. Release from its dominion is ours. It can no longer command us at its will, nor lull us to sleep by its soothing strains. 6. Conquest over evil is given to us in great measure at once. Sins are conquerable. Holy living is possible. Some have reached a high degree of it. 7. Joy may become permanent in the midst of sorrow. II. HOW IS IT RECEIVED? 1. Entirely from Jesus, as a gift of Divine grace. 2. By faith, not by sight or feeling. 3. By fervent love to God. This excites to revenge against sin, and so gives present purification. This also nerves us for consecrated living, and thus produces holiness. 4. By joy in the Lord. This causes us to receive peace unspeakable, not to be exaggerated, nor even uttered. III. HAVE YOU RECEIVED IT, AND HOW MUCH? 1. You have heard of salvation, but hearing will not do. 2. You profess to know it, but mere profession will not do. 3. Have you received pardon? Are you sure of it? 4. Have you been made holy? Are you daily cleansed in your walk? 5. Have you obtained rest by faith and hope and love? (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: |
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