#grieved

~ 1 Peter writes to the Christians living in various parts of Asia Minor that are suffering. They are being rejected by the world because of their obedience to Jesus. Peter assures them they have an inheritance in heaven. I deeply love this man Jesus that I haven’t seen and so did these people Peter addresses. ~

1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith–the salvation of your souls.

HIS ENDURING AND TRUE WORD ~Christ loves us so much that he was foreordained before the foundation of the world to shed his precious blood for our sins, so that we can be redeemed and look forward to a heavenly home. ~

1 Peter 1:20-25 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible seed, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and it’s flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Interpreter took him into a dark room where there sat a man in an iron cage. “Who are you?” Christian asked.

“I am not who I once was.” He replied.

“Who were you?”

“I was once a happy and flourishing preacher both in my eyes and in the eyes of others. I thought I was on the way to the Celestial City.”

“What are you now?” Christian asked.

“I am a man of despair and shut up in this cage. I cannot get out.”

Christian asked, “How did you get into this condition?”

The man looked down and said, “I quit watching and praying. I sinned against the goodness of God and grieved His Spirit away. I provoked God to anger, and he has left me. I have so hardened my heart that I cannot ever get out of this cage.”