Online Articles
Outcome of Your Faith
Acts 2:37-41 NASB 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 "For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself." 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!" 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls. This is the beginning point for a new Christian. Peter introduced the Path of Salvation as offered by the Lord to all who were will to accept His offer.
As we examine the content of 1 Pet. 1:3-9 we see that Peter shows us how to obtain salvation, how God provides help, guidance and assistance along the "walk from earth to heaven".
Peter begins by giving thanks to God, thankful for His great mercy, which caused us to be born again [John 3:1-15] through faith in Jesus Christ, even though we have not seen Him, we believe in Him [John 20:29]as the son of God, lived, died and was raised by the power of God the Father. He has begotten us into a lively hope, a hope that proceeds from a lively faith. Hope is a complex emotion made up of an earnest desire and expectation of obtaining an objection. Hope keeps us alive and invigorates us to action, helps us to be patient as trials come and preserves us until the end.
As we set our affections on the heavenly goal [Col. 3:2] the inheritance that is reserved in heaven, untouchable by human hands, that will not perish, rust or be stolen [Matt. 6:20] because it is protected by the power of God, and held in reserve for the adopted children of God, joint heirs with Christ [Rom 8:17].
Peter continues to encourages us to use our lively faith to stay focused goal of heaven especially during periods of trials and distress proving our faith will sustain and strengthen us which will result in praise, glory and honor to the God of heaven. The exercise of the lively faith which produces a lively hope, the joy inexpressible and full of glory—this is the outcome of your lively faith—the eternal salvation of your soul.
