Scripture Reading:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. —Hebrews 12:1–2
Fill in the blank:
True
for Jesus grows in our hearts as we come to
him beyond what we can
.
1 Peter 1:8a; John 20:29; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 3:17–19
in Jesus connects us to the source of
that is
than our circumstances.
1 Peter 1:8b; Romans 15:13; Habakkuk 3:17–18
We
that our salvation is more than a
reward; it is a
reality.
1 Peter 1:9a; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:4–6
God’s
work gives us hope, rescuing us from
and restoring us to
.
1 Peter 1:9b; Colossians 1:13–14; Titus 3:3–7
It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
—Isaiah 25:9
Questions for Further Reflection:
1. Do you truly love Christ, even though you haven’t seen him? What helps your love for him grow?
2. When have you experienced joy that came from your faith, not your circumstances? How did that shape you?
3. How does knowing your salvation is already at work in you change the way you live each day?
4. In what ways is the hope of salvation restoring your purpose and identity in God’s kingdom right now?
Referenced Scriptures:
Scripture quotations are from the ESV unless noted otherwise.
1 Peter 1:8–9
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
John 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
2 Corinthians 5:7
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Ephesians 3:17–19
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Habakkuk 3:17–18
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Ephesians 2:4–6
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Colossians 1:13–14
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Titus 3:3–7
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.