The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 37

like an angel's from the reflected light of the open he.'\vcns. IA our joy lofty nnd touched with Heaven's own light, the common emotion being transfigured into likeness to the lofty hopes and visions on which it is nourished? II. 'l'HE UNFAILING FOU1'TAINS OF TIIE CnnrsTIAN JOY. Two conditions are set forth in the two participial clauses on which our true joy depends. Of the two the former brings about the latter. Believing in, or rather trusting to, the unseen Christ, we receive the 11onsequence of that trust-the salvation of our souls. And the exercise cf faith and the possession of the resulting salvaLion pour a flood of joy into the heart, oven though it d,vell in a waterless hnd. 1. The exercise of faith in the unseen Ghrist brings foy. The very attitude of trust breathes calm gladness over the heart, It is always blessed to lean on one 1-horn we love. There is rest in casting the burden on another. Anxiety and care darken the face and sadden the soul, when we have none hut ourselves to roly on. But trust, e"<"eu in human helpers whom we cau trust, makes us glad, as a child safe on its mother's breast, or a wife guarded by her husband's arms. The more permanent and sufficient the object of our trust, the more joyful we shall be. If Christ be onr Trust, we rely on absolute rerfection and permanence and power; so our joy may be full, and may abide. To occupy mind and heart with him is joy. A warm thrill of gladness fills loving souls parted from one another, as they think of each other. And a bright light of joy should be kindled at every remembrance of Christ, and will bo if we are trusting to him. Faith is self-distrust, and that is joy. Faith is self-surrender, and that is joy. Faith is the yielding of the will, and that is joy. Faith is the consciousness of union wilh Divine love and power, and that is joy. Faith tnrns its back on earth's fever and falseness, and that is joy. Faith rises to walk in heavenly places, and that is joy. Faith unites the soul with Jesus, and that is joy. Ti:.e Christian joy is cotemporaneous with active exercise of our faith. If that falls asleep, it fades away. It is like the note of a piano, which ceases to sound as soon as the finger is lifted from the key. Therefore is Christian joy so seldom up to the ideal set forth here, because faith is so spasn::odic, so intermittent, and so feeble. If we would "rejoice evermore," we must "trust in the Lord for ever." 2. The sah'ltion which is the consequence offiiith brings foy. The language clearly co-ordinates "believing" and "receiving" as cotem- poraneous. Both are regarded as continuous, not single acts, done and done with, but as the standing characteristics of the Christian life. If continu,ous, they will be pro- gressive; faith will become stronger, and, as it grows, salvation will be more fully possessed. For faith is receptivity, the opening of the door, and its. degree, the width of the opening, settles how much "salvation" will enter. Salvation is past, present, and future-and in all epochs one in essence, howe,;,er various .in degree and form. Here and now we may possess the beginning" of the end of .our faith," even the salvation of our souls, though the full salvation of body, soul, and spirit has to be waited for till the coming of the Lord. Surely that present salvation may well put into our hands a full cup of gladness. The consciousness of forgiveness; the sense of friendship with Christ· the assurance that all the sky is clear, and nowhere in the univerRe of things prcsea.t or to come any cloud that can ever break in storm on our bilads; the growing possession of holy desires, pure thoughts, and Christ-like character; tho refining of the nature; and the hopes full of immortality which spring from present communion with him, and conquer deatb, a.nd pour a great light of peacefulness into the grave ;-surely these precious pearls, melted in the draught which the ),and of faith receives from Christ, may well make sad hearts forget their misery, a1JCl rejoice as they drink, "with joy uns. cakable and full of glory."-A. M. Vcrs. 10-12.-The work of Christ the central/act of the universe. The salvation wLich is secured by the work of Christ, and the work which secures it, are tho centre- point t,f t,he creation. "They that go before and tbey who follow after cry, Hosanna I blessed Le he that cometh!" The calendar of ci 1·ilized nations proclaims that lie iR the Lord ol tLc aaes-whicb are to be reckoned as" before Ghrist" or as" years of the Lord"- pre)'aratory to or the development of liis work. As for all time,_ so for nil u1,lers of being, the cradle and the cross arc the centre. There were angels m the.heavens when tLerc wl,ere shepherds in the fields, and not only \Vise llfen from the Enst but" liright.- ':laruessed" seraphs came as pilgrims to Bethld1c111. 'J'hcr~ were. angel.; in t~e tomb while weeping women stood witho1.1t. P1"opl1<,ts lieralilcd lus commg; evnugclistll tohl on. I, 1-25.J 'l'HE FIRS'l' EPI8'rLE GENEllAL OF PETEit. -31