In review of 1 Peter 1:1-3, the Christians Peter wrote to were being prosecuted, had been displaced, and felt as strangers in the area which used to be their ‘home’. They met with opposition, trouble, and affliction because of their beliefs.
Peter reminds them they have been saved for a purpose, chosen to live in holiness and obedience. So, it is no surprise that they feel like they do not belong – they are to be different from the world. God is the one working on their hearts and He will give them peace through all difficulty.
Do you think and act different than the world?
Even though most of us will not experience persecution because of our faith, we hopefully do feel as if we do not belong. The reminder that we have been saved for God’s purpose and that He is working in our lives for His pleasure and honor, can give us peace in all circumstances even extreme difficulties – God is in control!
We have a living hope – a certain expectation of eternal life. This reality helps to keep our time on earth in a right perspective. We deserve nothing yet God has chosen to show us great mercy and compassion. He extended His love to us through the death and resurrection of His Son.
These truths should compel us to action. We are to live in praise and gratitude for the gift of our salvation. Our redeemed lives, every blessing that we see as good and even the life circumstances we do not understand, are to be offerings to God for His glory. Read the example given in 1 Chronicles 29:9-16 as David consecrated the building of the temple.
“Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly. So David blessed the LORD in the sight of all the assembly; and David said, "Blessed art Thou, O LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever. "Thine, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O LORD, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all. "Both riches and honor [come] from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone. "Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. "But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from Thee, and from Thy hand we have given Thee. "For we are sojourners before Thee, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. "O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build Thee a house for Thy holy name, it is from Thy hand, and all is Thine”.”
What is your reaction to difficult circumstances?
Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
“May grace (the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) and peace (prosperity and quietness) be yours in the fullest measure” 1 Peter 1:2b.
Because –
We have an inheritance imperishable and undefiled that will not fade away, in heaven.
1Peter 1:4 to [obtain] an inheritance [which is] imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
When you consider receiving an inheritance, what do you think of? It is the property received by an heir. It can be money, land, jewelry, stocks, and other possessions that once belonged to another individual, most often a parent or family member. The story of the Prodigal son in Luke chapter 15 gives us a picture of inheritance. It is not the main point of the story, yet it is a clear picture of the fleeting value of an earthly inheritance.
What is the result of many promises given on earth by men?
Heaven is promised to God’s children by God who is perfect!
Ephesians 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
The inheritance of eternal life with God is sure; it is not fleeting, cannot be used up, and cannot even be given away. This is the one and only possession that we can claim with certainty now and forever, all because of God’s great love.
1 Peter 1:3 tells us God caused us to be born again to a living hope. What is that hope? 1 Peter 1:4 says it is our inheritance in heaven. This inheritance is available to us through the resurrection of Jesus. This inheritance speaks of our relationship with the Father. We are His heirs because of His choosing. We are accepted in His family through Christ, adopted as His own.
If you had something of great value, would you simply choose an unknown name to write in your will?
Romans 8:15-17 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him] in order that we may also be glorified with [Him.]
We will continue to explore the meaning of our inheritance in succeeding posts.
