Woody, "To God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, (and throughout the earth) who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Pet. 1:1-5, NIV)
Now, if this does not bless your day, beware of what does.
There are phrases used in our text today which are quite familiar to the Redeemed. The first is, "new birth;" the second is, "salvation." The, "new birth," is a one time act, as was our physical birth. The second, however, is a life time process. "Salvation," became so colloquial and provincial over the decades that few really understand the breadth of the term. To most, the phrase means that which is confined to the New Birth. If it is, then our text becomes quite problematic. But the word translated, "salvation," in our text is the same Greek word used to speak of, "so great a salvation," in Hebrews 2. There is just never a moment in my life when, "the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time," is not continually being, "revealed," in this time.
There is something in the phrase, "until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time," which inspires, encourages, and fills with anticipation all the Faithful Followers of Jesus Christ. In the midst of human suffering, our text is a promise of unimaginable beauty. Cynics scoff at such "by and by" theology. Adieu, such people. The sad reality is that much of the church community today embraces the cynical approach of relegating, "ready to be revealed," to nefarious, escapist theology.
This morning I prayed from the Open Doors "Prayer Force" for August 18: "Ten [Christian] workers in Afghanistan were killed on their way back from giving medical care in a remote region of the country." The grieving families are not finding solace in the cynic's theology. Those who, "serve the Lord Christ," are finding comfort in the promise of, "the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." And, fellow disciple, this includes you and me today. We have, "so great a salvation," working in us today, in this moment, in the coming hours remaining in this 24 hour time span, the coming weeks, months, and years you and I may have. "The Lord [Jesus Christ] Is my Light and my Salvation, whom (what) shall I fear.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I so thank You for, "the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." Amen.
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When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
