1 Peter 1:8–9 – Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

THEME OF THE DAY. HOW WOULD WE KNOW? The words in today’s scripture come from the Apostle Peter. He was writing to a bunch of suffering Christians in what we know is modern day Turkey. And they were suffering for being Christians; not due to sin as in the Corinthian church, but for simply taking a bold and uncompromising stand for the Lord Jesus. His initial purpose in the opening of the letter was to encourage them. Take note how he did this in the following verses; he points them to the work of God in them and what is in store for them when their suffering is over in this life – “ Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:1-7).

As we come to today’s scripture, the Apostle Peter goes further in his words of encouragement for these suffering believers. Imagine having a solid reputation and receiving an affirmation from an apostle, no less Peter, of loving the Lord Jesus and of having a living faith in Him. That is exactly how Peter viewed and spoke of these believers. And this is a big deal. It is one thing to profess faith in Christ. It is something else to be known as a lover of Christ. Many people make professions of faith but, sadly and too often we don’t see the practice match the profession. So, how would we know if we are what Peter says of these Asia Minor believers; those Christians whom “having not seen Christ, love Him”, “Though not seeing Him yet, believe on Him”? It can be quickly determined by our attitudes about sin, the world, and ourselves.

First, lovers of Christ hate sin, and grow more and more in hatred of sin. This is natural. Christ died to deliver us from our sins not for us to remain in our sins. One of the clearest indications of new birth into the family of God is both a departure from sin and hatred of all sin – But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: The Lord knows those who are his, and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19).

A second quality in those sincerely loving and obediently believing in the Lord Jesus is a proper attitude toward the world. And this attitude is one of knowing this world is sinful, quickly fading, and not the place of comfort and ease for the believer. We basically love the next world and refuse to love this one – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-17).

Finally, a loving follower of Christ will see themselves as “owned property” surrendered to His Lordship in all areas of life. We will joyfully live under His yoke of authority and rejoice to suffer for His name simply because we bear His name. Lovers of Christ will have their lives centered on Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

PRAYER: “Father, thank You for Your Spirit and the enabling work of Him helping me love Your Son.”

QUOTE: “We may determine the sincerity of our love for Christ by our attitudes toward sin, the world, and self.”