Grace in Focus: “What Is the ‘Salvation of Your Soul’?” (1 Peter 1:3–12) Podcast: Grace in Focus
Host: Bob Wilkin (B) with guest David Renfrow (C)
Date: January 6, 2026
Duration: ~13 minutes

Episode Overview

In this concise yet theologically rich episode, Bob Wilkin and David Renfrow dive into 1 Peter 1:3–12, focusing on Peter’s use of the phrase “the salvation of your soul.” They distinguish between justification and sanctification, discuss the concept of inheritance (both passive and active), address Christian suffering, and clarify what Peter means by “salvation” in this context. Core Free Grace Theology themes—assurance, perseverance, and eternal rewards—are discussed with practical implications for believers facing trials.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Context and Preface of 1 Peter

• [00:59]–[01:32]
  David establishes that 1 Peter 1:3–12 is “the preface to the book,” setting the stage for its main themes.

  “What Peter is doing here… is talking about the nature of their salvation.” – David Renfrow (01:32)

• The original audience faced intense suffering and needed perspective and encouragement.

2. New Birth and Living Hope

• [01:21]–[02:16]
  Bob and David discuss how God’s “abundant mercy” brings new birth and a “living hope” through Christ’s resurrection.
  • The hope Christians possess is “certain,” but its timing is unknown.
  • “It’s a living hope, because our Savior is living. But hope here is not some uncertain future. It’s a certain future…” – Bob Wilkin (02:02)

3. The Nature of Inheritance: Passive vs. Active

• [02:16]–[04:10]

  • Passive inheritance: True of all believers (“heirs of God”).
  • Active inheritance: Conditional—joint heirs “if we suffer with him” (Rom 8:17).
  • Peter is addressing active inheritance, linked to endurance in suffering.

  “The inheritance will be enjoyed in heaven. The question is how much inheritance. And that’s what this is talking about.” – David Renfrow (04:03)

  • Assurance of salvation is addressed (“kept by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed”).
  • Discussion on the role of ongoing (not just initial) faith regarding inheritance and perseverance.

4. The Role of Trials and Faith’s Refined Value

• [04:12]–[07:26]

  • Trials are put in eternal perspective, presented as “a little while” compared to everlasting glory.

  “He’s talking about that part of our faith which is lasting, which is persevering, which is enduring, which is rewardable.” – Bob Wilkin (05:48)

  • The “genuineness of your faith” is refined through trials—not questioning salvation, but testing for rewardable endurance (citing Zane Hodges’ view).
  • Suffering is normative for believers; hostility toward Christians is not a new phenomenon.

5. Assurance Rooted in Scripture, Not Experience

• [07:26]–[08:37]
  • Love for Christ exists even for those who haven’t physically seen Him.
  • Norm Geisler’s critique: assurance from Scripture, not personal experience:

    “Don’t tell me about your experience. He said the line should say, you ask me how I know he lives. The Bible tells me so.” – Bob Wilkin, quoting Geisler (08:14)

  • The Bible’s testimony is sufficient for faith.

6. The “Salvation of Your Soul”: Meaning and Application

• [08:37]–[10:55]

  • The “end” (goal) of ongoing faith is “the salvation of your souls.”
  • This phrase refers not to initial salvation/justification but to a future inheritance of glory—the full experience of life (“psuche”) in the age to come.

  “The idea of the salvation of the soul is a refinement of who you are in the face of this tribulation and these trials…” – David Renfrow (09:09)

  • Bob references Matthew 16:24–28 (“save/lose your psuche”) as a parallel—the context is discipleship and reward, not initial salvation.

  “As Christ won glory through suffering, so do we through our suffering. If we triumph in it, as he did, we save our souls. So that the salvation of the soul is this future inheritance of glory with Christ.” – Bob Wilkin, referencing Hodges (10:09)

  • Triumphing in trials is necessary for the fullness of this salvation; endurance is the focus.

7. Old Testament Anticipation of Reward

• [10:55]–[12:40]
  • OT saints also anticipated eternal rewards—contrary to the misconception that they only had temporal hopes.
  • Prophets longed for the “joy of our salvation” and future participation in glory (cf. Hebrews 11:24–26).

  “All of the Old Testament saints were looking to be rewarded and to have glory with Messiah in the life to come.” – Bob Wilkin (12:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Perseverance and Inheritance:

  “The inheritance will be enjoyed in heaven. The question is how much inheritance. And that’s what this is talking about.” – David Renfrow (04:03)

• On Assurance:

  “It’s a living hope, because our Savior is living. But hope here is not some uncertain future. It’s a certain future...” – Bob Wilkin (02:02)

• On Faith’s Refinement:

  “He’s talking about that part of our faith which is lasting, which is persevering, which is enduring, which is rewardable.” – Bob Wilkin (05:48)

• On the Meaning of ‘Saving Your Soul’:

  “The salvation of the soul is a thing received by virtue of a faith triumphant in suffering.” – David Renfrow (11:08)

• On OT Saints and Rewards:

  “All of the Old Testament saints were looking to be rewarded and to have glory with Messiah in the life to come.” – Bob Wilkin (12:31)

Segment Timestamps

• 00:59–01:32 — Introduction to 1 Peter and its preface
• 02:02–02:16 — Explaining the “living hope”
• 02:16–04:10 — Two kinds of inheritance: passive and active
• 05:16–05:48 — Faith’s genuineness and reward
• 08:14–08:37 — True assurance comes from Scripture
• 09:00–10:55 — Meaning of “the salvation of your soul”; parallel to Jesus’ teachings on losing/saving life
• 10:55–12:40 — Connection to the Old Testament saints’ hope
• 12:44–end — Wrap-up and preview for next episode

Tone and Language

• Insightful, conversational, and accessible—balancing scholarship with practical encouragement.
• Frequent references to Scripture, scholarship (especially Zane Hodges), and practical implications for Christians in a hostile world.
• Both hosts stress clarity between initial salvation and reward/sanctification—the hallmark of Free Grace Theology.

This episode offers a thorough and hope-filled perspective on enduring trials, focusing listeners’ eyes on the “living hope” and the glory to come for those who persevere with faith. The distinction between present assurance and future reward is clearly drawn, equipping listeners to navigate suffering with joy and confidence.