St Peters RC Church Hamilton

“...that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found...” (1 Peter 1 v 7)

As life in Jesus finds true happiness,

A real and full contentment, heaven sent,

We discover a life full of godly purpose,

Which is to serve in Jesus’ name,

We claim no fame for ourselves, none whatsoever,

But all for our Saviour, our holy Brother.

We look to who Jesus is, was and ever will be

Throughout our history until we enter eternity.

We increase in awareness of His goodness,

Such steadfast loving kindness gifted us freely.

“That the genuineness of your faith... may be found to praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1 v 7)

We understand fully the implications of the †,

The Lord Jesus’ death at Calvary, His accepting our punishment.

As a Saviour sent to us, we focus on salvation,

An action of healing love snatching us from satan.

What happiness we find in this peace,

The release of our sinfulness so as to start again.

We receive of the Lord Jesus’ very own Spirit,

The Spirit of faith dwelling in us as Teacher.

And even more than this added bonus

The Spirit is our purifying, life clarifying Sanctifier, revealing Jesus to us.

“...whom having not seen, you love.” (1 Peter 1 v 8)

Without the risen Jesus returned to heaven

To be glorified, no Spirit would be sent us.

We find peace of mind in Jesus’ friendship,

Realising thereby we can approach the Father of mercy.

We have a champion in Jesus and the Spirit,

That we inherit the way to obey all that is holy.

When we stray, forgiveness rescues us time and again.

The Lord Jesus therefore is our worship, offered joyously,

For His friendship changes everything for the better.

He is not only Saviour but God’s Word

Alive, active, living in and amongst us,

All and always for the sake of holiness.

“Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible full of glory.” (1 Peter 1 v 8)

We cannot, will not do better in life,

Than to recognise and respond to the call

Made by the Lord Jesus, for us to live in holiness

As His family, orientated towards love’s service

Of all mankind, anywhere and everywhere.

It is said to be more blessed to give than to receive,

Both are our first hand experience in Christ Jesus,

The Teacher, enabling our holiness by His Spirit.

We become, and increasingly if prayerful,

The Lord Jesus’ successful works in progress.

“...receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1 v 9)

What more could anyone wish for or desire than this?

The blessings of grace are upon us,

All because we look to Jesus,

God’s way to live and His truth to live by honourably.

Then we are made to feel happy, truly, fully happy.

Us in Jesus, in the Spirit, honouring our Father as best we can,

This is our fullest happiness now and eternally.

Forever we gain Jesus as we invite Him to come to us,

To fill our life with His, the Father and the Spirit’s

Ever godly purpose, this is our happiness.

“Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you...” (1 Peter 1 v 10)

“...searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.” (1 Peter 1 v 11)

“Christ in us is that glory” (based on Colossians 1 v 27) as our true happiness in Jesus reveals how we have become in Him, by the Spirit, our Father’s “...chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvellous light; who once were not a people, but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy,” (1 Peter 2 v 9, 10) and thereby this true happiness. So much so we will each day say ‘Let us pray.’