Joy Inexpressible and Full of Glory (1 Peter 1:6-9)

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"
Joy Inexpressible And Full Of Glory (1:6-9)

One of the many blessings available to the "elect" (chosen) of God is a very special kind of joy.... For reasons we shall notice in our lesson, Christians are able to "greatly rejoice" (lit., "leap for joy") - 1 Pe 1:6 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,”. They have access to joy that is "inexpressible and full of glory" - 1 Pe 1:8 “whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” A joy so great, so glorious, that it is impossible to truly express with words!

In this lesson, we shall focus our attention on Peter's remarks in 1 Pe 1:6-9 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”; concerning this "inexpressible joy" that Christians are blessed to have.

Notice first that in verse 6 Peter begins by saying "IN THIS you greatly rejoice..." He is referring to those things which serve as the basis for inexpressible joy. There are "past" grounds for rejoicing. We have been "set apart" by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit - 1:2. We have been "sprinkled" with the blood of Jesus Christ - 1:2. We have been "born again" to a living hope - 1:3.

There are "present" grounds for rejoicing as well. We are God's "elect" - 1:2. We are "kept" by the power of God through faith - 1:5 “who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” There are also "future" grounds for rejoicing. We have an "inheritance" reserved for us in heaven - 1:4. We look forward to the "salvation" which will be revealed in the last time - 1:5, note 1:9 “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” All these blessings (past, present, future) serve as the basis for inexpressible joy. Because of them, we can "greatly rejoice!"

Exactly how great is this joy? In verses 6-7, Peter explains the exceeding greatness of this joy. It enables us to rejoice even in trial (1:6) “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,”. No matter what degree of suffering one may experience, in Christ there is joy to match it. As Peter explains in 1 Pe 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.” As he and the rest of the apostles exemplified in Ac 5:40-41 “And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.” How can Christians find joy in such trials? Informed Christians understand the purifying nature of such trials - 1 Pe 1:7 “that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:”; 2 Co 4:17-18 “For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Knowing what trials can produce, it is possible to be joyful in trials - Ja 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.”, 12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.”; Ro 5:1-5 “Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom also we have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand; and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope: and hope putteth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.”

What kind of trials? The word "various" includes all kinds. Primarily, it includes those which come as a result of living for Christ - Mt 5:10-12 “Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.” But we can also rejoice in the everyday afflictions of life. Such as, sickness, heartbreak, frustration, approaching death. For these things also provide an opportunity to test our faith, hope, love, longsuffering and patience. If one is able to rejoice even in the midst of such trials, surely they have a joy "inexpressible and full of glory"!

But how can Christians be sure to possess this joy? For it must be admitted that all do not, and there are times when even the best of us do not. In verse 8, Peter alludes to two things which I suggest are necessary to possessing this inexpressible joy.

We must love Jesus, "whom having not seen you love". Jesus is the ultimate source for being able to rejoice in all things - Ph 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.” He has promised that if we truly love Him, He and His Father will be with us - Jn 14:23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” If Jesus is with us, we can receive that joy which is inexpressible! - Jn 15:11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”; 16:33 “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” But can we who have never seen Jesus, love Him? Yes! - 1 Pe 1:8 “whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” How can we come to love Him who we have not seen? Through a devotional study of:
1.) The Old Testament, with its prophecies of the Messiah
2.) The Gospels, with their description of His life, teachings, compassion, suffering, death, and glorious resurrection
3.) The Acts, with its action-packed portrayal of the Lord working together with His church
4.) The Epistles, where we learn of many blessings found in Christ, and of His ministry as High Priest interceding in our behalf
5.) The Revelation, in which we learn of the glorious victory to be won by the Lamb and His followers

We must also believe in Jesus. "Though now you do not see Him, yet believing...". Through believing in Jesus we can "rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory". But such faith is more than a mental assent, or academic knowledge of Jesus. It involves the key element of faith itself, which is "trust". Trusting in His commands to be for our ultimate good. Trusting is His promises to fulfilled. The kind of trust that prompts us to obey Jesus wholeheartedly. This kind of faith comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17 “ So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

When we have this kind of faith in Jesus, and when we truly love Him with our whole being.... A blessing we receive is that "joy inexpressible and full of glory"! A blessing that can sustain us till we reach the end (goal) of our faith: salvation! - 1 Pe 1:9 “receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” That is because this "inexpressible joy" is based upon many other blessings: past, present, and future. It enables us to joyfully persevere through all kinds of trials in this life. But again, this blessing is only for those who truly love Jesus and believe in Him...

Do you love Jesus? If you do, you will keep His commandments - Jn 14:15 “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.”, 23 “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” Do you believe in Jesus? If you do, you will do what He says - Lk 6:46 “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

Are there commandments of Jesus you have not yet obeyed? If so, why not obey them today so that this "inexpressible joy" can be yours as well!