The Four Precious Things of the Apostle Peter.
1. “Precious Blood.” 1. Peter i, 19. Precious, because he who shed it is the mighty God and the sinless man; because infinite love was in it; because without it sin could never be forgiven, lost sinners never saved, nor reconciled to God. Precious, because its voice, both within the vail and in believing hearts, ever whispers peace. Precious, because every soul sprinkled with it shall be eternally safe from the glittering sword of God's vengeance. Of its preciousness the white robed multitude will sing before the throne of God. 2. “Precious Jesus.” 1. Peter ii, 7. Precious, because he is the brightness of the Father's glory; because he is "bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh;" because that all the majesty of divinity, all the tenderness of perfect humanity, meet in him; because in his person and in his work there is exact suitableness to meet the need of ruined souls and trusting saints. He is the "One pearl of great price"—the "Chiefest among ten thousand"—the "Altogether lovely One." His holiness, his power, his love, his grace, are precious. His living, his dying, his interceding, his second coming, are precious. So exceeding precious is he to believing hearts, that to all eternity they will gaze upon it, and tell it out, and yet leave its depth unfathomed. 3. “Precious Faith.” 2. Peter i, 1. Precious, because it is the hand that clings to a precious Christ—the eye that gazes upon him through the mists and vapors that darken this vale of tears. Precious, because it draws the soul into communion with its risen Head. Precious, because it rests upon the sure foundation of the truth of a covenant-keeping God. Precious, because it looks "not at the things which are seen," "the fulness of joy," which is at God's "right hand for evermore." 4. “Precious Promises.” 2. Peter i, 4. Precious, because they are very many, and their clusters are very sweet. Pardon for the guilty, strength for the weak, comfort for the mourner—yea, every good and perfect gift that hungry, weary, thirsting souls can need, are wrapped up in those "precious promises." They shine forth through the word, as brilliant stars shine out at midnight. They rejoice the heart as fair flowers charm the weary wanderer over a desert way. Precious, because they are "yea and amen in Christ Jesus." The believer's heritage of promise, in all its rich unfailing abundance, can never be forfeited. The world's gems tarnish; earth's fairest flowers droop and die; but these precious things of the apostle, possessed by the soul, make it rich and joyful forever.