Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1Peter1:8-9
Stephen Njiro used this as his text at the Sunday Evening Service and it has been bouncing around in my soul!
Jesus told Thomas that those who believed without seeing were more blessed than those who "saw and believed." Most of us would be sceptical of this statement. We feel that the disciples who got to walk and talk with Jesus were more fortunate than us.
But Jesus was referring to the reality that Peter is now affirming: We can powerfully experience God's life-changing love in the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
We can't see Jesus like the disciples did. But through the inner working of the Holy Spirit we can triumphantly affirm: "I have Jesus in my heart!"
How do we know?
We are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy...
Try it!
Stop. Slow down. Think about what Jesus did on the cross.
Think about what He did for YOU.
Think about the day that He brought you to Himself and you surrendered to Him.
What happens?
Joy happens!
Not frothy temporary happiness but deep inexpressible glorious JOY!
Even though we can't see Him!
---
--------------------------
Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
