Monday Meditation

[1Pe 1:1-9 ESV] 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 

Peter is the apostle I so identify with.  In the gospels he is impulsive and kind of a mess.  But in his epistles he is more mature and thoughtful.

2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 

God knows, God helps and God gives purpose for our lives which results in grace and peace in our earthly journey.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 

The resurrection of Christ changed everything.  There is no reason not to have hope now.  And when you have a sure hope, you live life differently.

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 

It turns out, we are heirs and heiresses to a sure inheritance that can not be taken away.

5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

We just have to be patient and wait.

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 

It is hard to wait...troubles come and discourage us and cause us to forget what awaits us.

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

We must persevere until the end.

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

Peter had seen Him, so he knows it is hard for those who haven't. 

9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

But shouldn't we all want the salvation of our souls for eternity?