In 1 Peter 1, the apostle is encouraging his readers to persevere and to have hope, even when they are experiencing hardship and affliction. 

In verses 8-9, he says: “Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

He does this, in part, to help them remember the big picture. ‘Keep focused on the end game!’

As a part of this, he mentions their souls. Your soul is the non-material centre of you that will live forever. Peter also mentions the “salvation” of their souls. It makes you wonder, “saved from what?”

Because of Jesus, our souls are saved from many things—from the consequence of sin; from eternal torment; from dread fear; from the power of darkness; and from an apathetic existence since we are the loving and meaningful hands and feet of Jesus in the world.

This is also a good word for us today. Though we sometimes go through trials and tribulations, we follow a faithful and never-failing Saviour who redeems us from the bad and leads us into the good things of eternity. Keep focused on the end game!

“Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

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Notes:

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.