Patience and Hope

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory – 1 Peter 1:8

Christian faith is a paradox. It loves someone you have never met, it believes in someone you cannot see, and it enjoys this person with a fullness that cannot be described or surpassed.

Whom having not seen, ye love. Christian faith is personal, not just believing for the sake of believing or formulating an abstract worldview. Christians do not just love truth, or justice, or peace, or purity. Christians love Christ! Christianity is not a philanthropy; it is not a philosophy; it is not even a religion. It is a relationship.

Yet believing. There are a thousand obstacles to the Christian faith. Professors may try to trip you up, tragedy may tempt you to lose heart, and discouragement may threaten to undo your faith from the inside out. But true Christianity believes in Christ anyway, trusts in Christ regardless, draws near to Christ relentlessly. No matter what the obstacle or opposition, true faith yet believes.

With joy unspeakable. Truth can be shared, but faith cannot. Nor can it be expressed. You have to experience Christ to appreciate Christ. You have to know Christ to embrace Christ. And you have to see Christ to enjoy him and find your satisfaction in him.

Have you seen him? Do you trust him? Have you enjoyed him?