What does 1 Peter 1:9 mean?

Verse 9 completes the thought Peter began in verse 8. Peter's readers—like us today—had not seen Jesus with their eyes as Peter had. Still, they loved and believed in Him. And, as all Christians do, they rejoiced in their believing in Him. That faith, though, is not just a thing to have for its own sake. Faith in Christ has an outcome, a result. It's a faith that is leading to something.

Peter writes that by that faith they are receiving or obtaining the salvation of their souls. They, we, are right now being saved. "Salvation," according to the Bible, comes in three ways. The first is "justification," which is the one-time salvation from an eternity in hell. The second is "sanctification," which is the ongoing process of salvation from the influence of sin in our lives. The third is the permanent and complete absence of sin we will experience in heaven.

Notice that Peter phrases this particular mention of salvation in the present tense. Our faith in Christ is right now, in this moment, resulting in our salvation, both from the penalty and power of sin. Peter has also described our salvation as something that has already happened (1 Peter 1:3) and something that will eventually happen (1 Peter 1:5).

It's clear that our souls need saving. It's also clear that God has promised that our salvation, by His grace through our faith in Christ, is done, is being done, and will be done. In Him, we can be completely confident in all aspects of that salvation.