The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 46

III. WHAT WE ABE REDEEMED FOB. The text is a motive urged by the apostle to enforce his previous exhortn.tion: "Pass the time of your sojournincr here in fear." The consciousness of our redemption and the fact of our redemption° should lead, cot to easy confidence or indifference, but to reverential awe and dread of" receivincr the grace of God in vain." The more clearly the purpose of our rerlemption to be ou~ complete emancipation from all sin be seen, and the more profoundly we value the tremendous price at which God has thought it worth while to buy us back for his own, the more we shall dread every sin. Surely no motive can so powerfully commend the solemn comprehensive command, "Be ye holy as I am holy," or so strongly impel to that wholesome fear without which it can never be obeyed, as the contemplation of the precious blood shed for our sakes. Tbat awful sacrifice is in vain so far as we ara concerned, the blood of Jesus has poured out for nought, unless it has not only availed to still our fears and bring us pardon, but also to" cleanse us from all sin," and make us love and do righteousness. We are redeemed from sin by the blood of Christ., that we may be the lambs of his flock without blemish and without spot, like the Shepherd-Lamb.-A. M. Ver. B.-Faith, lvve, andfoy. Peter had seen Jesus constantly during the course of his ministry, had known him intimately, and had loved him well. But most of those to whom he wrote this Epistle had not been brought into such association with the Son of man. The apostle's aim in communicating with such professed Christians as those to whom he addressed his letter was to encourage and stimulate their spiritual life. It was his privilege to bear the testimony which it was their privilege to receive and to act upon. 'l'hey were in a position to experience and enjoy the blessing pronounced upon those who, "not having seen, yet believe." l. !T IS DIS'l'INCTIVE OF THE CHRISTIAN THAT HE HAS FAITH IN THE UNSEEN SAVIOUR, This faith has a human side-it is prompted and justified by the witness of those who beheld Christ's glory, and who wrote the things which they had seen and heard in order that others might, by their evidence, be led to believe on Jesus. This faith has a Divine side; for Christ is his own witness to the heart, which finds in him the realization of its loftiest and its purest aspirations. It is the Di vine provision and appointment that the life of the Christian should be a life of faith. And this is a wise and merciful arrangement, evidently calling forth the best feelings of our nature, supplying us with the highest motive and aim to a new and better life, and calling U3 away from absorbing interest in self !lnd in earth. II. 'l'HE CHRISTIAN'S FAITH IN CHRIST PRODUCES LOVE TOWARDS CHRIST, Faith it. an unseen Being seems more natural than love towards him. The earthly friends whom we love we have seen and known; Christ we have not listened to or looked upon. Yet what surpassing and all-sufficient motives we have to love him! 1. Because he first loved us. 2, Because of our gratitude for his interest in us and his willing sacrifice on our beha.lf. 3. Because we admire his peerless character, his blameless and benevolent lire. 4. Because our fellowship with him develops sympathy and congeniality. III. Joy IS THE PROPER RESULT OF THE CHRISTIAN'S FAITH AND LOVE. This assertion doubtless appears to some minds enthusiastic and ridiculous. Yet it is a. reasonable assertion in itself, and it is justified by Christian experience. 1. This joy is altogether different from the pleasures songht and prized by the unspiritual and worldly. These rejoice in the gratification of sense, in the excitement attending the quest of pleasure, in the attainment of favourite objects of desire. But Christians rejoice in quite other delights. 2, This joy is awakened by the Spirit of God in the heart. It is a fountain springing up within, when the rock is smitten by Divine grace and power. For this ea.use it is largely independent of circumstances. 3. 'l'his joy is cha.racterized as unutterable, because it is deep and calm, and not by any means noisy and demonstrative. Its infinite side-that towards eternity and heaven aud God-is inexpressible in human language. 4. This joy is "full of glory," or glorified, both because of the transcendent chamcter of the Christian's pure delights even in foe present, and because of his justifiable anticipations of future and imperishable bliss. Oh that Christian people could appreciate their privileges, shake o.lf the melancholy characteristio of the age in which w~ live, and enter into the possession of this primeval. joy 1-J, R. T.  40 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. [oa. 1.1-26,