"Let us praise GOD, the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for HIS great mercy. In raising JESUS CHRIST from the dead, HE has given us new life, and a living hope. The inheritance that does not corrupt, nor goes bad, nor passes away, was reserved for you, in heaven, since GOD's power shall keep you faithful, until salvation is revealed, in the last days.
There is cause for joy, then, even though you may, for a time, have to suffer many trials. Thus will your faith be tested, like gold in a furnace. Gold, however, passes away, but faith, worth so much more, will bring you, in the end, praise, glory and honor, when JESUS CHRIST appears.
You have not, yet, seen HIM, and, yet, you love HIM; even without seeing HIM, you believe in HIM, and experience a heavenly joy beyond all words, for you are reaching the goal of your faith: the salvation of your souls." - 1 Peter 1:3-9
(This passage could be the preaching of a leader of a Christian community, addressed to adults who have just been baptized. In those days people were more preoccupied than they are now about their salvation after death. To those being baptized, the apostles spoke of the inheritance of GOD which was reserved for them and had been won by CHRIST in HIS resurrection: The inheritance that does not corrupt nor goes bad nor passes away.
The newly baptized knew that their Christian faith was threatened and persecuted. To ask for baptism meant to commit oneself to CHRIST until death.
You have not yet seen HIM... Faith, hope, and love for CHRIST: the three virtues [or powers] urging Christians, go together. CHRIST came to glory through suffering. The Christian follows the same path and already knows true joy in the midst of trials.)
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