1 Peter 1:8-9
The scripture for today is 1 Peter 1:8-9
1 Peter 1:8-9 Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.
We, unlike the apostle Peter, have never seen Christ in the flesh, but that does not diminish our love for Him. It is the knowledge of Him, through His word, that has drawn us to Him and produced in us a love for Him. We have heard the gospel and believe that Christ loved us with a love so powerful that it compelled Him to receive the penalty for our sin. Those who saw Him in the flesh do not love Him more than those who see Him by faith. Through faith in the Lord Jesus we invite Him into our hearts; and, because He lives there, we can experience the same presence and power that the early disciples experienced. It is the power of "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27
All believers have the same opportunity and advantage of living a Spirit-filled, Christ-centered life, irrespective of what time period they lived in; "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
Because He is the same, the faith that He authors within us is the same faith that the apostles who walked with Him in person embraced. It is that faith that causes our hearts to overflow with "joy inexpressible and full of glory." We rejoice in "receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls" and one day soon "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim