The Result of Your Faith
Date: November 9, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Voice and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse: 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV) "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Heavenly Father, as we dig into these verses today, open our hearts to the profound truth they hold. Help us grasp the depth of our love for Jesus, even though we have not seen Him. May Your Spirit guide our understanding and fill us with inexpressible joy. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
E - Explore the History and Meaning: The apostle Peter wrote this letter to believers scattered throughout various regions, encouraging them to stand firm in their faith amid persecution. In these verses, Peter emphasizes the believers' profound love for Jesus, even though they had not physically seen Him. This love is based on their faith in Him as their Savior and Lord. Peter reminds us that our faith in Jesus brings about a unique and inconceivable joy. This joy comes from a deep, heartfelt love for Christ, rooted in our faith. Although we have not seen Him with our eyes, our faith in Him is real and transformative. This faith leads to the salvation of our souls, an outcome of immeasurable value.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases: K
Inexpressible and glorious joy: This joy is beyond human description and is a result of our faith in Jesus.
Receiving the end result of your faith: Our faith in Christ leads to the ultimate goal, which is the salvation of our souls.
S - Summarize and Share: Devotional:
There's a unique wonder in the way Peter paints this picture of faith. He acknowledges that, like the early believers, we have not physically seen Jesus. Yet, we love Him deeply, a love that springs from the very core of our being. This love isn't a fleeting emotion but a profound devotion, an unbreakable bond with the Savior.
Joy fills my heart when I think about this boundless love for Christ. It's like a wellspring of happiness that defies explanation. It's not dependent on our circumstances or the challenges we face. It's a joy that remains unwavering, rooted in our faith in Jesus.
Through these verses, we're invited to consider the depth of our relationship with Him. We are called to recognize that our faith isn't just a set of beliefs; it's a transformative force that brings us into an intimate connection with our Savior. It's a faith that guides us through life's ups and downs, leading us toward the salvation of our souls.
Think about the moments when you've felt the presence of Christ, even though you couldn't see Him with your eyes. Those times when His love was so real that it moved you to tears or filled you with unexplainable joy. This is the essence of our faith, a living, breathing relationship with the One who loves us beyond measure.
As we journey together in faith, let's hold on to this truth: our love for Jesus and the joy it brings are real, powerful, and life-changing. They are the very essence of our Christian walk, leading us toward the ultimate goal—the salvation of our souls. May we carry this joy with us, sharing it with others as a testament to the incredible love and grace of our Lord.
4 Bible Cross References:
Romans 15:13 (NIV): "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Our trust in God brings joy and peace, similar to the joy that comes from our faith in Christ.
John 20:29 (NIV): "Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" Jesus acknowledges the faith of those who believe in Him without physically seeing Him.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV): "For we live by faith, not by sight." This verse underscores the importance of living our lives based on faith in Christ.
Psalm 4:7 (NIV): "Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound." This psalm speaks of God's joy filling our hearts in times of plenty, reminding us of the joy we have in Christ.