1 Peter 1:8-9 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, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

I have no idea how many times I’ve preached, let alone written, on this passage. It is absolutely glorious! This describes the condition of every genuine believer today. Some perhaps have seen Jesus in visions or near-death experiences, but that’s not the same as seeing Him with our physical eyes. However, we can see Him by faith, and as Hebrews 12:2 says, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Him! This leads us into His salvation, which produces a genuinely inexpressible joy that can be had no other way. I think every believer has moments of doubting their salvation, but those very moments can deepen our faith in the long run, and accordingly, deepen our joy. Those who are “realists,” who “can’t believe anything they can’t see,” aren’t actually being honest with themselves. We don’t see the wind, but we can feel it and see its effects. Except for the occasional spark, we don’t see electricity, but we believe that when we flip the switch the light will come on. Faith is ultimately a choice, and it is literally the difference between life and death, on the eternal scale. God makes faith available to us all, but we have to choose to accept it. (Ephesians 2:8-9) I think that’s one of the factors in Jesus saying that we have to become like little children. (Matthew 18:3) A child that feels loved will not refuse something that is offered. We need first of all to believe that God loves us, for us to believe that He has provided salvation for us. We sometimes struggle with that, because we think that what we have done makes us totally unlovable. Jesus said we who feel that way are precisely who He came to save! (Luke 5:32) God’s salvation defies human logic, so it has to be accepted by faith, but when we have done so, it is more certain than the entire physical universe.

I have a clear recollection of a time when I asked my mother how I could be sure Jesus was alive, and she quoted the song, He Lives, to me: “You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.” I was totally satisfied. I have not always been faithful to what I have believed, but the faith has been there for many, many years now. It’s been 70 years since I was baptized – which is a staggering thought – and that faith and assurance have only grown. At this point, my greatest joy is in sharing that faith with all who will listen, and particularly, with all who will receive it for themselves. I have never thought of myself as an evangelist, but how can I keep such a wonderful thing to myself? I want everyone to have the joy and peace I have received, regardless of their circumstances. I can’t force anyone to accept it, but I can make it available, and that is a marvelous privilege.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for how You have been opening my eyes to the joy of sharing faith. May I be ever more effective, by the power of Your Spirit, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!