When People Look at YOU - Do They See Joy?

In 1 Peter 1:8 we read the following words:

"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."

Peter is writing to followers of Jesus Christ. And he makes this statement of fact that they are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy. He simply took for granted that this was the experience of his readers. Why? Because, simply put, it should be so. Read the verses that immediately precede v.8:

"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 Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, ⁵who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶In this you greatly rejoice . . . " (1 Peter 1:3-6a)

Note all the blessings that we enjoy as a result of God's GREAT MERCY which he has so generously and richly showered upon us: a new birth into a living hope, an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, divine protection until the end! If we truly understand the scope of these blessings --- there will be no doubt --- we will be "filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy!"

So I encourage you to take a moment and re-read vv. 3-6a above -- and greatly rejoice in what God has done, is doing and will do forever for you -- all by HIS grace and for HIS glory! And allow His Spirit to fill you with this inexpressible joy -- and allow that joy to spill out into all of life's arenas!!!

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj