December 8th | 1 Peter 1

Have you ever seen a movie or read a story about a person who is not wealthy suddenly hears from a lawyer that they have a wealthy relative they didn’t know about who has died and now left them a great inheritance? In the real world, this story is unlikely because we know our relatives, and if you’re like me, none of them are going to leave you a large inheritance! But it is fun to dream about going to sleep one day in poverty and waking up rich the next morning because you were gifted such a great inheritance. We dream about this scenario in our physical lives, but spiritually, this truth has happened to us if we have placed our faith in Christ! 

1 Peter 1:3-4, “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” 

The verses above show us an incredible truth: our salvation is given to us by the great mercy of God. We are born again and given a living hope because of Christ’s mercy to us on the cross. Without such a sacrifice, we would certainly have no hope of being reconciled to God. Yet, not only do we have living hope, but we have an inheritance. Paul uses three words to describe it: imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Said another way, it is the best of the best, and there is no way it will ever fade or wither away. We can also have confidence that this inheritance won’t be stolen or gone because it is secured within the gates of heaven! We have confidence we will see this inheritance one day! This assurance is also given to us by the strength of God to guard us and take us to glory. 

1 Peter 1:5-7, “5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 

We are being guarded by God if we have truly repented and put our faith in Christ. We are justified before God now, and he will also guard us and guide us in this life til we reach heaven’s gates. What a blessed thought! So today, you might have trials and difficulties. Look to Jesus in faith to guard and guide you through them. In the midst of hardship and difficulty, remember the great inheritance that is waiting for you in Christ!