The Confidence Of The Faithful Series

1 Peter 1:6–9 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (ESV)

When it was released 25 years ago this past week, the movie Groundhog Day was considered a romantic comedy. In the movie, Phil Connors (played by a never-better Bill Murray) is an arrogant and narcissistic weatherman for a Pittsburgh TV station who is forced to travel to the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. When he tries to leave after the ceremony with his news producer Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell) and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliott) he gets stuck in the town overnight. When he wakes up the next morning, though, he finds he’s reliving the previous day—Groundhog’s Day. No one else seems to notice, so he assumes he’s merely having a bad dream. But when he wakes up again, he’s stuck living the same February 2. Phil’s trapped in a time loop from which he can’t escape. At first Phil becomes depressed. Then, realizing the possibilities open to him, he stumbles into hedonism. He soon discovers, though, that the “do what thou will” lifestyle is empty and boring. Eventually, Phil finds the most satisfying course of action is to live for others, which eventually enables him to escape the trap that he found himself in. (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/112381/)

Over these past 10 months you may have felt like it has been one long “Groundhog Day”. We can easily forget what day it is, and not be able to break out of an ever-repeating rut of activity. The initial pause of activity may have been refreshing, but soon it most likely has felt the same activity over and over again. Initially we may have just indulged in the new found freedom but the freedom can now feel more like a prison. We can easily then be very uncertain of the future and lack any assemblance of joy.

Peter’s goal 1 Peter 1:6-9 is to have believers understand the joy that should be our own constant expression in light of eternal salvation. To have a confident assurance of Salvation should result in abundant joy. Peter wrote early on the subject of joy and the believer because his readers need the reminder and the encouragement as they faced severe persecution. The clear implication is that though the recipients of this letter were suffering unjustly, they and we should expect such mistreatment and endure it with joy and patience (cf. 2:18–21; 3:9, 14–15, 17; 4:1, 12, 14, 16, 19; 5:10). In light of the blessedness of salvation, no earthly difficulties should diminish joy (cf. Hab. 3:17–18; Matt. 5:11–12; James 1:2).

In 1 Peter 1:6-9 Peter gives five perspectives on joy that should be “The Confidence of the Faithful”. A proper grounding of this joy enables believers to triumph even in the most adverse circumstances. He highlights the reality that joy derives from five things: 1) Confidence in a Protected Inheritance (1 Peter 1:6a), in a 2) Proven Faith (1 Peter 1:6b–7a), in a 3) Promised Honor, in a 4) Personal Fellowship with Christ (1 Peter 1:1:8), and in a 5) Present Deliverance (1 Peter 1:1:9).

Believers can experience present joy because of:

1) Confidence in a Protected Inheritance (1 Peter 1:6a)

1 Peter 1:6a 6 In this you rejoice, (though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials), (ESV)

The reference at the beginning of verse 6 “In this” refers back to the preceding passage (1:3–5), which detailed the first great truth that brings Christians joy, namely their protected eternal inheritance. Because of this great truth believers can and should rejoice (from agalliao) which is an intense, expressive term that means to be supremely and abundantly happy—a happiness that is not tentative nor based on circumstances or superficial feelings. In the New Testament, agalliao always refers to spiritual rather than temporal joy, and it usually has reference to a relationship with God (cf. 1:8; 4:13; Luke 1:47; 10:21; Acts 2:26; 16:34; Rev. 19:7). Furthermore, since Peter put it in the present tense, it conveys the notion of continual joy and happiness. No matter what difficult circumstances and persecutions they face, the faithful greatly rejoice because of the future hope that derives from Christ’s resurrection (1:3; 1 Cor. 15:51–57; cf. Rom. 5:2; 12:12) and the present reality of the indwelling Spirit (1:2), securing a protected, eternal inheritance (cf. Heb. 10:32–36). When they think about their future inheritance, the Christians to whom Peter is writing respond with intense ‘salvation joy’ which continues throughout their earthly lives. He thinks such rejoicing in heavenly realities to be a normal part of the ordinary Christian life. (Grudem, W. A. (1988). 1 Peter: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 17, p. 66). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)