The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 63

Joseph, Davi<l., Poter, our blessed Lord, were most blessed products of the experience rcncbed by the fires of suffering. ( 4) Lead, to hi,ghest destiny. Praise ; honour; i;lory.-U. R. T. Ver. 8.-Love-tmst~oy. Hero is- I. LovE FOR THE UNSEEN. 1. This appears difficult. Many say," If we could only bear, see, touch Christ, we could love liim; but it is now beyond our power." Never- tbeless, this is: 2. Very common. What is all love for the absent but love for the unseen? 3. This is possible to all the highest forms of love. We have historic heroes whom we .ove (such as Melancthon, Howard, Henry Martyn, Frederick Robertson) with a much nigher form of love than the self-seeking thing that often goes by that name among men. 4. This is a most blessed reality when, as with Christ, there can bo communica- tions with the Beloved, even though he be unseen. The unseen stands calm amid all our rush of life, changeless amidst all our transition and decay. To love him in his bodily presence must ever be to have a love that is limited, partial, accidental, tem- porary. Not so if we love" Christ in us the Hope of glory." II. TausT IN THE BELOVED. It is certain there must be some faith before there is any love, but it is equally certain that where there is much love there will be increasing faith. Love is the basis of a new and stronger faith. The vision of the soul rises from its affections. The anchor of faith has the firmest hold on the shores of love; the roots of faith draw their richest nutriment from the soil of love. Love Christ more, and you will believe him more. III. JOY IN THE BELIEVED AND THE BELOVED. The joy that Paul as well as Peter knew, and that multitudu have possessed as they trusted in Christ and cleaved to Christ with their affections, is (1) the joy of rest; (2) the joy of intercourse. And it is: 1. A joy that is "unspeakable." Even song cannot utter it. 2, A joy noble now, and destined to perpetual nobleoess. "Full of glory." There is no mean, or base, or decaying element in it. The casket, the human heart, is indestructible; and the jewel, this Christly joy, is imperishable.-U. R. 'l'. Vers. 9-12.-Soul-salvation. The thought of soul-salvation in these verses is at once deeper and broader than that contained in ver. 5 of this chapter. Thero it was mainly deli,'erance from evil, and deliverance from evil of the individual soul. Here there is the reaching a blessed destiny, and that by many. L THE GREAT WORTH OF SOUL-SALVATION, 'l'his is seen: 1. From the illustrious beings interested in it. (1) Prophets. (2) Angels. (3) Apostles. (4) The Holy Spirit. From this it follows, first, that soul-salvation is no modern invention, it was known to ancient prophets; no mean conception, it was the theme of exalted angels; no obscure dream, it was proclaimed by well-known apostles; no earth-born scheme, it was 1\ revelation of the Holy Spirit. But the worth of soul-salvation is seen: 2. By our knowledge of the Saviour by wlwm salvation came. Christ is Christianity. 'l'h6 Saviour is the revelation of the worth of salvation. (1) In his sufferings (ver. 11). (2) In his following glories (ver. 11): his conquest of temptation; his resurrection; his ascension; his triumphs by his Church; the restitution of all things. II. 'l'HE GRADUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE REVELATION OF SOUL-SALVATION. It has dawned upon us who now have its noontide brightness, just as every day brightens to noon-gradually. In this passage we are reminded how it was: 1. Predicted. By prophets who were taught (1) gradually and separately; (2) often unconsciously; but (3) divinely. We have it as: 2. Fully declared. It was plainly" announced" and is widely "preached." Ill THE SIMPLE MEANS OF ATTAINING SOUL-SALVATION. "Faith" (ver. 9). Salvation is the thing we trust for, and to which tru.st tends. It is not only assent of the mind, though it is that. Nor only consent of tM heart, though it is also that. But it is response of the wul. "Believe, and be saved."-U. B. T. Vere. 13-16.-The call to holines,. Peter sums up as the conclusion from what he has just written as to prophets, apostles, angels, the very Spirit of Christ being deeply concerned in our soul-salvation, "Be lwly." Holiness is salvation. Just as there is no -.lvation for a sick man but to give him health, so there is ll.O salvation for a sinful cm. I. 1-26.] THE FIRST EPIS'l'LE GENERAL OF PE'fER. 57