The Story: There are two components to saving faith, and Peter touches on both of them here in this first chapter. The first is what the writer of Hebrews calls “the assurance of things hoped for” (Heb. 11.1, my translation.) Peter has been commenting on that, reminding his readers of what God has done for them, who, as a result, they are, and what is laid up for them in the world to come. This is the hope they have come to know through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and Peter is stirring them up to cling to that hope in the midst of their present trials. The second component of saving faith is “the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1, again, my translation). These believers had not seen Jesus, but they loved Him. One of the ways they “gave evidence” of their love for Jesus was to rejoice with inexpressible joy, even in the face of their trials. Even though they were suffering, the hope of glory was radiating out from them and would strengthen their faith and assure them of their salvation, as long as they persevered.

The Structure: Saving faith works toward the reconciliation of all things back to God (2 Cor. 5.17-21; Eph. 2.10). Nothing stands in the way of true and lively faith as, drawing on the assurance of things hoped for, it works through thanksgiving and hope to give evidence of the reality of things not seen. Faith without works is dead, as James insisted (Jms. 2). We are not saved by works; rather, we are saved unto works, which are the fruit of salvation and abiding in Christ, and the reason Jesus has chosen us and made us His own people (Jn. 15.1-17). As Peter thus encouraged these suffering believers to persevere in faith that works, so we also must consider how to stimulate one another to love and good works, so that the genuineness of our faith may be seen by all (Heb. 10.24).

Suppose a new believer, coming across Ephesians 2.10 in his daily reading, should ask your advice about the “good works” for which he has been redeemed. What would you tell him?

Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “Suffering and Beyond: 1 Peter 1.1-11,” simply click here..

T. M. Moore

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.