I had the privilege of teaching today in another Sunday school classroom at church. It was the “Mosaics” class, a blend of men and women of differing ages, who bring in teachers from classes to present lessons each Sunday. I went in with high hopes of covering 1 Peter 1:1-12, but we only got as far as verse 5.

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, [5] who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, [7] so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. [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.

I was struck again by the joy we have as Christians – joy in our heavenly home and joy in knowing Christ. What seemed more poignant to me was that our joy in Christ is “inexpressible”. As if it weren’t fantastic enough that our inheritance is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” and “ready to be revealed in the last time”, Peter adds that loving and believing in Jesus Christ is inexpressible joy.

Heaven may be great but the beauty and glory of my Savior will be what holds my full attention! May I indeed, “count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:8 ESV)