Full realization of our salvation
Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 CSB
As we go through trials, the impurities in our faith and life are exposed. We need to give them up to Christ, so that we may look more and more of a reflection of Him. Although the believers that Peter writes to have not physically seen Jesus Christ like us, trusting in the testimony of the writers of the apostles through the Holy Spirit, we believe and love Him, the gift of salvation from our current sin, and the future hope of eternity in heaven. Though we have not seen Jesus, yet, because of the gospel, we love and believe in Him. By this way, we provide a living commentary on the beatitude Jesus spoke to Thomas: “‘Jesus said, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe’” (John 20:29). This active trust leads to “inexpressible and glorious joy” even through the toughest of trials here on earth. The genuineness of our faith is revealed when tested and it brings glory and praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is why we do not give up in times of trials but instead we press on. “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14). We continue to move forward despite the circumstances, knowing that in the end, we will receive a crown of glory. This is why even at this moment we can experience God’s inexpressible joy. The reason for this joy is “because you are receiving the goal of your faith.” Already in this life the Christian claims the blessing of the salvation he or she received from Christ because of faith. We will fully realize the greatness of our salvation when we are with our Lord and Savior for eternity. So, while awaiting for that great glorious day, let us have our salvation affect every area of our life.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
