Whom Having Not Seen, Ye Love (11/3/25)

Whom Having Not Seen, Ye Love (11/3/25)

Peter’s description of “the strangers scattered” in I Peter 1:8 has fascinated me for many years. I Peter 1:8 states that these people had not seen Christ, and yet Peter was assured they loved Him. How did Peter know they loved the Lord? He knew this in the same manner Christ described in John 14:15, 15:14, and other places. Based on their obedience to the Lord, their love for Him was apparent. When we read this chapter, we see they were commended for being obedient to the Lord, enduring various trials, and continuing to follow Him.

It would also have been seen in the love expressed toward their brethren (Jn. 13:34-35). After all, how could someone claim love for Christ whom he has not seen when he doesn’t even love his brother that he has seen (I Jn. 4:20)? Yes, he who loves God must love his brother also (I Jn. 4:21)!

Although these people had never seen Christ, because they loved their brethren and believed the teaching and preaching of the gospel, the people from these five regions had continued following the Savior of the world.

In like manner, I think about men today. Are we not in a similar situation as those in Peter’s letter? We have not seen the Lord. Yet, think of those countless millions who have expressed their love for the Lord to this present day. They love the Lord and love His sacrifice, His kindness, His care, His wisdom, yes, they love Him for what He has done in selflessly offering Himself that we might be free from sin (Jn. 8:36, 10:17-18)! It is these people (us) that the Lord commended in John 20:29!

How much do you love the Lord you have not seen? How are you expressing it among the brethren that you have seen? These folks expressed it by rejoicing “with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” How much joy is in your heart?

I Peter 1:8 is yet more proof of the timelessness of the Bible and its teachings. We have a connection to those “strangers” Peter addressed. Let us make the connection and apply God’s word to our lives accurately (II Tim. 2:15)!

- Jarrod M. Jacobs