By His Great Mercy
He Has Given Us
A New Birth
Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given
us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and
unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God
through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this
you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various
trials, so that the genuineness of your faith – being more precious than gold
that, though perishable, is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise
and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen
him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him
and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the
outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Concerning
this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours
made careful search and inquiry, inquiring about the person or time that the
Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the
sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. It was revealed to them
that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that
have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the
Holy Spirit sent from heaven – things into which angels long to look!
1 Peter 1:3-12
The
Bible tells us of how fascinated Paul was with heaven. The apostle pulled back
the curtain of heaven to let us see angels gazing at God’s plan of redemption.
But why are angels so fascinated by man’s salvation? The most likely
explanation is that they are amazed at the astonishing way God solved the
problem of sin. The cross was the means by which God provided His Son as the
righteous substitute to pay the penalty for sin while upholding His holy
standard. God now provides redemption to any human being who will repent,
believe, and receive it.
Are you thankful for salvation? The angels are!
They rejoice every time a sinner repents and puts his
faith in Christ.
The cross of Christ is the bridge between God and man.
Our Daily Bread –