"in this rejoice if at present necessary for a little sorrow in various trials so that the proving of your faith (precious more than gold that perishes) having been proved through the fire, now found to the extent praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ... obtaining the goal of your faith; the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:6-9).
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from there we await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly bodies, conforming to his glorious body, that according to the power that also enables him to subject all to himself" (Philippians 3:20-21).
Christ was raised and seated at the right hand of God where all things were placed under his feet, to be subjected to him. God made man a little lower than angels and crowned him with glory and honor, and subjected all things under his feet (Hebrews 2:6-8). He subjected all under man but left nothing outside of his control. God was in control, though Adam sinned, it was God who subjected creation to futility in hope... (Romans 8:19-21). Like the earth that is subjected to corruption and decay, though we are now spiritual in Christ, we are a body subjected to corruption. One day by the power that raised Jesus he will subject all things to himself, transforming our lowly bodies into a glorious one. Why is this, why doesn't God give us a new body when we believe?
"For I consider the sufferings at the present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory intended to be revealed to the extent of us" (Romans 8:18).
It is through suffering that the glory of God is being revealed to us. Though we groan inwardly awaiting our adoption, the redemption of the body, and glorious freedom as sons , in this hope we are being saved (Romans 8:23-24). The hope of our calling; for those predestined he chose before he created the world, to be holy, in his presence in love, therefore we are blessed in Christ with adoption, redemption, forgiveness thus those he predestined, he called and for these called, he purposed in Christ a way to be in his presence so he sent Jesus to die on a cross so we are justified through his blood, and to these justified, also glorified, predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son (Ephesians 1:4-8, Romans 8:30). What would I know of the glory of God, what would I know of holiness, if it were not that I was left in this body of death and suffering?
... having been proved through the fire, now you are found to the extent praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).
Paul prays that we would have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Him, that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened so as to comprehend the hope of our calling, the glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the incomparable greatness of his power available to us as believers (Ephesians 1:16-23). Notice, in regards to power, the enlightenment Paul prays for is that which is "available to us as believers." It is true we were dead in our trespasses and sin, blinded by the devil to the light of the gospel, therefore, God must grant us to see, remove the scales from our eyes, so we see the light of Jesus, but Paul wants us to know Christ more as believers, to be brought into fullness in Him. Christ was made head of the church to fill all things (Ephesians 1: 20-22). This same power that raised Christ will bring us into fullness in Christ, this is what Paul is praying that we have enlightenment to, along with strengthening in faith that is energized in love.
for you were like sheep gone astray but now you have turned back to the overseer of your souls (1 Peter 2:5).The story of the prodigal son tells us he went astray, but he returned, he was chosen, a child of the father, he was a child but became a son. I believe fullness in Christ is related to our soul, to maturity, perfection, growing up into the fullness of Christ which is called holiness, sanctification, purification of the body, training for godliness... There is saving faith, and enduring faith, that which will bring us into fullness, consumption when we see Christ face to face. As a child, we see dimly but as we grow in Christ it becomes more clear, we are being transformed from glory to glory in the face of Christ which shines the glory of God. Thus we count all as loss in order to know Christ, though we by no means say we have obtained such fullness here on earth, this will not happen until we see Jesus face to face. But we are called to this glorification. Like the growth of a plant, in the fullness of the head, we will bear fruit. He was placed head overall to fill all, the body, the church.
"until we all attain unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature adulthood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that no longer existing children, tossed to and fro and blown about in every wind of doctrine, in human cunning, that in craftiness with deceitful scheming" (Ephesians 4:13-14).
We see the concept of fullness, of growing strong in the Lord throughout Ephesians, it is like a road map. In chapter one, this is who you are in Christ, know these things, be founded in who you are, and be enlightened to more. Chapter two states this is who you were before you were saved before Christ made you alive, and now having access to the promises of God and to God himself through the Spirit, you are part of the household of God built on the foundations of the apostles and prophet, no longer a Mosaic covenant of a fleshly nation, but two have become one, a body, a church, where the foundation stone is Christ in whom the body grows, into a dwelling place of God in Spirit. In Ephesians chapter two Paul explains how by grace through faith we were saved, it was a gift from God. God enlightened my eyes. And he prays in chapter three that God grants us more power, faith, and love.
... to know the love of Christ surpassing human knowledge so that filled to all the fullness of God. Now, he who is powerful to do abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine according to the power working in us... (Ephesians 3:19-20).
According to the power working in us, be enlightened to the immeasurable power of God available to us as believers. Also in Ephesians chapter three, Paul writes of a foundation, that we are strengthened through the Spirit, Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith, rooted and grounded in love. After being rooted in love we are to know the love of Christ surpassing knowledge? this implies growth, knowing more of his love so as to be brought into fullness.
like newborn babies grave the milk sincere, reasonable, so that you may grow up unto salvation if having tasted that the Lord is good (1 Peter 2:2-3).
Grow up unto your salvation. We see this growth process in the parable of soils, in the good soil, the one that bears fruit, has been deeply rooted and has an understanding that will cause him to endure the thorns so to grow up. This foundation is necessary so that we have the strength to grasp the infinite love of Christ so to be filled to the fullness of God (Ephesians 3: 16-20). To know or be enlightened to the hope of our calling, the glorious inheritance among the saints, the greatness of his power available to us, will provide a strong foundation. To know the power of his resurrection that is produced through being conformed to his death, having fellowship with him in suffering, in which we endure as our faith is energized through knowing the deep love of Christ. This deep love, faith, and power will establish us, and keep us so that we are not separated during the suffering, tribulations, afflictions in this life (Romans 8:31-39).
"For the time exists when they will not endure sound doctrine rather according to their own lusts procure in abundance teachers for themselves that tickle the ears" (2 Timothy 4:3).
The parable of soils tells us some will not grow up and bear fruit. Not enduring sound doctrine, they appoint teachers/pastors that tickle their ears, "goo goo gaa gaa" your such a good baby. It says they appoint such teachers because they are driven by their own lusts. The desires of the flesh are lustful, thus they walk in the flesh. They do not endure sound doctrine so to grow up. Are there other ways the church will not grow? Perhaps, we do not look intently into the truth that would mature and perfect us, so we do not receive wisdom from God unto maturity. (James 1) Or perhaps the church doesn't grow out of ignorance having raised up ministers who are not mature. Possibly this is the reason they lord over and exercise authority over the people, because they are not great, being servants of all, but immature thus hide behind authority? Perhaps it is because ministers enslave others by teaching serving and giving that serves their own self-interests, the glory of this world, fame, and fortune? Certainly, the scriptures tell us it is the work of Satan within the church, introducing doctrines that keep the children from growing up. The Spirit says in these times "some of the faith fall away, holding to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1).
Maturity in Christ is important within the Church else we will not have sound doctrine being taught. And sound doctrine is important for maturity in Christ. Because the scriptures tell us living to the law, tithing, serving and giving do not perfect, mature us, that growth is in Christ, we should be cautious of those who imply through their actions or teachings otherwise and neglect growth or put emphasis on these other things as if they will mature.* They neglect sound doctrine that would mature, saying you are already mature, holy, now get to work giving and serving... my interests. Forgetting that Jesus came to serve not to be served and said the great in his kingdom are servants of all.
In chapter four of Ephesians, we see Christ is raised and seated at the right hand of God where he is filling all, giving gifts to men so to equip them to build up the body, into maturity, to the full measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. In contrast to what the devil is doing, sound doctrine will cause the growth of the church. If the church is not growing then what is the issue? Growth, maturity in Christ is necessary as without it we will remain children and be blown about by every wind of false doctrine, in deceitful scheming and craftiness.
who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree so that living, away from sin, living to righteousness, the one whose wounds heal (1 Peter 2:23-24).
In chapter five Paul writes that finally, be empowered so that we can stand against the schemes of the devil. As we grow into maturity in Christ, we then have might, a dominion not just over sin in the body, but over spiritual forces of evil so we stand with Christ against these evil forces that war against our souls. We have grown strong, no longer children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine but established in truth, salvation, righteousness, the gospel of peace, and faith we can stand against the devil's schemes. We having matured, growing strong in the might of his strength can then strengthen our brothers.
now you are found to the extent praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ... obtaining the goal of your faith; the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:6-9).
In between, the I am saved, and the one day I will be saved, is I am being saved. Peter calls it the salvation of our souls. In a spirit of wisdom and revelation in Christ, the eyes of my heart are enlightened, so I will grow into fullness in Christ so that I will be to the extent the praise of His glory. God has made known to us the mystery of his will which he purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time... so that we who have placed our hope in Christ exist the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:9-12). Is there a better way that I can give praise and give glory to God? Is this not why Paul writes we have a reasonable service and a sacrifice acceptable to God, one that is unto holiness? But tickle, tickle...
the one in the power of God guarded through faith to the extent salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5).
It is interesting that the word last ἔσχατος (eschatos) also means lowest. It is true salvation will be revealed in the last time and it is true salvation is being revealed to us in our lowest time. The Palmists and prophets show us this continual type of prayer for salvation, save me my God... (Psalms 3:1,7; 6:4, 7:1; 31:2; 31:16; 54:1; 55:16; 69;1, 71:2-3; 109:26, 116:6; 119:94; Jeremiah 17:4) Jesus is our Savior; he saves, is saving, and will save. Therefore the question "what must I do to be saved," is relevant throughout the Christian life. As Paul writes we are working out, bringing to fruition, our salvation in fear and trembling,
The throne of grace is one we can approach and receive mercy and find grace to the extent of timely help (Hebrews 4:16). We receive help often in God's timing. The effective and perfecting work of Christ continues as our high priest, our advocate, when we do sin he works on our behalf to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We must have a good conscious toward God as the devil works hard to condemn and bring discouragement there. There is saving faith and enduring faith; where we are sealed until the day of redemption and one that brings us into maturity and keeps us to the end. "Who also establishes you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:8).
"on which account gird up the loins of your mind, having a clear presence of mind, hopeful, maturing, to the extent of the grace brought to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ, like as children of obedience, not conformed to the desires you had in your ignorance, rather, just as the one calling you is holy also becoming you, become holy in all your conduct. For it is written, 'Be holy because I am holy'" (1 Peter 13-16).
Peter writes if we call upon him as Father who judges impartially we should conduct ourselves in reverence during our time of exile, knowing that we were rescued by the precious blood of the spotless Lamb, Christ, chosen in advance before the foundation of the world, now, revealed to us in whom we have faith and hope, purifying our souls in obedience to the truth... (1 Peter 1:1722). Another way to put this if I am going to heaven where God is holy then I am called to holiness, "just as the one calling you is holy also becoming you, become holy in all your conduct." Purify your souls in obedience to the truth, loving from a pure heart, brought forth not of perishable seed but imperishable through the living and enduring God's word (1 Peter 1:22-23). Brotherly love comes from a pure heart, it is something we added to our faith as we grow in maturity in Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8). Like pure religion which helps orphans and widows, it comes from purity, being unstained from the world (James 1:27). Without maturity we will not truly love one another nor make disciples, nor reach the world, as we will be driven by our own lusts, self-interests.
"... obtaining the goal of your faith; the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:6-9).
Why does Peter write the goal of faith is the salvation of our souls? I am a new creation in Christ, no longer fleshly but spiritual, born of God, of the Spirit. Salvation Paul writes is by grace through faith, a gift given, not of works. Peter writes faith has the end goal of salvation of our soul. Certainly, we do not accomplish such a thing. Even believing, Jesus said is the work of God (John 6:29). And Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:2). Author I take to mean, he the author of faith as he gives a measure of faith, through hearing his words. Also, the Spirit is a part of this, as Jesus said no one can come to him unless it is granted by the Father (John 6:44). The first blessing Paul mentions in Ephesians chapter one is that we were chosen in Christ, predestined for adoption, in which the Spirit is of adoption. Of course it took the death of Jesus to receive adoption thus redemption, forgiveness we do not minimise. This salvation, adoption happened when we heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believed, then the Spirit sealed us as his own, until the day of redemption of the body (Ephesians 1:13-14). Salvation is authored through faith in Christ, God granted it and sealed it. Then there is an enduring faith, persevering, keeping us until the end faith. Paul writes of these principles, that sin dwells in the body and evil is near, warring against our members to bring us into captivity (Romans 7:17-24). Here I believe is the reason Peter writes faith has the goal of the salvation of our soul, as this body we are still in dwells sin, it is not saved as one day we will have redemption of the body, thus evil uses this weakness to wage war against our soul.
"And this I pray... to the extent you determine what is essential so that existing pure and without blame on the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness, that through Jesus Christ, to the extent glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:9-11).
Should what is essential be a main focus of the church, for growth? that we exist pure and without blame, filled with the fruit of righteousness. This is the salvation of our souls. We see triple truths in regards to purity; if I am born of God I will not continue in sin, if grace has been brought to us in the revelation of Jesus Christ we will become obedient, if I receive righteousness in Christ I will grow up to bear fruit of righteousness, be filled with it. This is why Christ died so that we might live to righteousness (1 Peter 2:24). Born of glory, not of the glory of the human birth whose flesh is like a flower which dries up and falls away, but of the word of God enduring for all time (1 Peter 1:22-25).
"now found to the extent praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ, not loving like as seeing, not seeing at the present yet believing in him, rejoice unspeakably and filled with glory, obtaining the goal of your faith; the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:6-9).
Obtaining the salvation of our souls is being filled with glory (fullness in Christ) which produces unspeakable joy. When our souls are in a wretched state because of sin, through lack of sound doctrine that doesn't grow us up but keeps us tossed to and fro as children, we are not in the fullness of Christ. Here is where the war is waged against our souls. "Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul" (1 Peter 2:11). Beloved, favored in the beloved, those loved of God, as we love him because He first loved us and though not seeing him we believe through faith. Beloved, abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul, so to save your soul. We were chosen before the world was created, predestined for adoption by the Spirit, thus the end goal of faith is the salvation of our soul, saving, preserving, keeping us until the day of Christ who is the overseer of our souls. "Through the power of God kept through faith, for a salvation to be revealed in the last time" (1 Peter 1:5).