Is Your Faith Described Like This?

1 Peter 1:8-9 -"…though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.  NASU 
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• Peter's Words Of Encouragement 

Peter is writing to Christians who have suffered through various types of trials and tribulations. He is giving them a pep talk as they do daily battle with the evil one. He wants them to know they have an inheritance awaiting them in heaven and it can't be taken from them as long as they remain faithful.
 
Peter states they have not seen Jesus Christ, but they love Him. They have heard about Jesus being crucified and resurrected from the dead.

When I read those words the other day it was like they jumped off the page and said, "Serago, this verse is describing you and your Pump Up readers".
 
I have not nor have you ever seen Jesus Christ, but we love Him. Think about how the knowledge of Jesus Christ has changed our lives.
 
Peter continues with not only do we love Him but we believe in Him. We believe in Him so much Peter exclaims, "we greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory."
 
We believe in Jesus tremendously and in our belief, we greatly rejoice. 

• What Our Faith Accomplishes 

One thing having faith in Jesus Christ has taught me is how to endure suffering. Now I don't believe I suffer in any way close to the resemblance of how our brothers and sisters suffered in the first few centuries. They were suffering unto death on a daily basis.
 
We suffer or are persecuted today in the United States for Jesus, but it is in a much different way. I believe the overabundance of material items that causes lust and greed to form in our hearts, which if left alone to take control of our lives will bring about our spiritual death.
 
In order for lust and greed to take control of our hearts then our faith in Jesus Christ must be pushed out of our lives.
 
Paul says this in 2 Timothy 3:12- Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. What he doesn't say is how the persecution will come.
 
As Peter encouraged those 1st Century Christians he let them know that by keeping their faith the final outcome would result in the salvation of their souls. 

• Let Me Encourage You 

As you know Christmas is one week away and I would like to give you a Christmas gift today. I want to tell you something I believe about all of you, my readers:

I know you have never seen Jesus Christ, but I know you love Him. Not only do I know you love Him, I know you believe in Him. You believe Jesus was crucified on the cross of Calvary, buried in a tomb, and resurrected on the 3rd day from the dead. 
 
You believe this truth so much you greatly rejoice with joy to the point it is inexpressible. All you have to do is keep believing this about Jesus and it will bring the final outcome of salvation to your souls.
 
My gift to you is I believe in you. I believe this about you all. I believe with all my heart you can endure any persecution or suffering and remain faithful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
Keep CHRIST in Christmas.
 
Think About This:
 
Truth is not always popular, but it is always right.

Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word