"Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
1 Peter 5:11
Part 2
Yesterday: We are Kept by God’s Power
“Who are kept by the power of God.”
Our Lord keeps us safe here on the earth while He keeps our inheritance safe for us in heaven!
Today: “For by Grace are Ye Saved Through Faith”
“Through faith.”
Faith is necessary for salvation. John’s Gospel highlights the concept of belief, or trust, vital to the sinner’s salvation. Without faith in the person and work of Jesus for us on the cross, salvation is impossible.
“By the mighty and miracle-working power of God; for nothing less, is necessary to keep and preserve … a soul from the contagion that is in the world. But this power of God is interested in the behalf of the soul by faith; to believe is our work, the exertion of the almighty power is of God. No persevering without the power, and no power without faith”[1] (Clarke).
We believe that Jesus will complete what He started in us.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
If it were up to our strength, our own willpower to keep us saved, we would be in a world of hurt.
“If it were left to the will of man; to the strength of his own resolutions; to his power to meet temptations, and to any probability that he would of himself continue to walk in the path of life, there would be no certainty that anyone would be saved”[2] (Barnes).
God’s Word assures us that our safe delivery to heaven is in His control.
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 4:18).
Simply put, God’s part in this is in the saving and keeping. Our role is believing. It is God’s power that keeps us saved.
“Unto salvation.” (a)
“Salvation.” Finally home…
“Deliverance is the goal … of the process and final salvation here, consummation as in 1 Thessalonians 5:8…”[3] (Robertson).
“But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
Believers here are the results of our faith in Jesus Christ.
“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you…” (1 Peter 1:9-10).
Our ultimate salvation is waiting for us at the end of life’s race.
This will be “The final end of the new birth”[4] (JFB).
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10).
Praise the Lord for His Salvation! We, believers, are waiting for Him to return. This sinful world is getting worse by the hour. How can we believers make it until He comes for us? Tomorrow we will think about this, see you then.
Quote: “Our high and privileged calling is to do the will of God in the power of God for the glory of God”[5] (J. I. Packer).
[1] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. 1 Peter 1:5. Emphasis mine.
[2] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. 1 Peter 1:5.
[3] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword. 1 Peter 1:5.
[4] Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword. 1 Peter 1:5.
[5] Packer’s quote is from his book, “Rediscovering Holiness: Know the Fullness of Life with God.” Downloaded: Wednesday, October 28, 2020. From: https://www.azquotes.com/quotes/topics/power-of-god.html.