May 21
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THOUGH YOU CAN’T SEE HIM, YOU LOVE HIM
6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. – 1 Peter 1:6-9
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This is a powerful text that Peter writes to the believers in the Roman provinces. It is encouraging to hear Peter tell them not to be distressed by the trials and adversities that they are currently facing. But he reminds them of how precious the proof of their faith is because it is tested by such suffering. It helps them to endure and thus grow their faith. He wants them to focus their eyes on the result of such patient endurance. It brings praise, glory and honor to God.
In verse 8, Peter explains the concept of true faith. Even though they can’t see God they still love him. Humans are visual beings. It is hard to love someone you can’t see or hold. Faith makes loving someone you can’t see possible. Many people stopped believing God because their minds cannot fathom someone not visible to them. Our nature wants to understand something before we do it. That is why faith is not something we can do or achieve. It is a gift from God himself when he chose all those who belong to Him. Peter also explains here that faith leads to rejoicing and hope that is fully glorious.
I was raised by my mother and aunts because my father worked abroad. My father was always gone. If you sum up the number of years that I spent with him in my entire lifetime, it wouldn’t even add up to five years. Yet, I connected with him through letters, almost weekly if not daily since I was seven years old. We communicated our thoughts and ideas and feelings and I felt much closer to him than I was with those were physically around me. I had reassurance that my father loves me and that I can believe that one day, we will be reunited again. The absence didn’t change the way I love him. This is almost the same with our Father in heaven. We can continue to love him even though we don’t see him. If we continue to remember his promises and live in that knowledge, we can grow our faith.________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can we continue to love the Lord our God even though we don’t see him?