“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.
Heaven belongs to God’s children. 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 possession that we can claim 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.
Romans 8:15-17 reads, 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.]
Our inheritance in Christ is imperishable, meaning it continues, it will not decay, it is incorruptible. All earthly inheritance here will be parted with; our inheritance in heaven is eternal. Think of the words abiding and enduring, lasting forever. Our inheritance in Christ cannot be taken away once we are His.
Our inheritance is undefiled, meaning it is unsoiled or pure. If we look around us, it is easy to see how sin affects the world. Our inheritance in heaven is unaffected by sin in the world. Nothing impure can enter heaven.
Our inheritance will not fade away. 1Peter 1:24 says, “For all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off”. Something that fades away becomes less and less with time, exposure or use. Heaven cannot become less than it is. Its value will always remain perfect. Albert Barnes NT Commentary says, “This denotes perpetuity in the sense that everything there will be kept in its original brightness and beauty”.
Consider this – you have a reservation – your name written in Christ’s blood – to claim your inheritance in heaven. It cannot be cancelled, it is stamped on your heart and in your soul, nothing will affect God’s claim for you. He is keeping His eye upon you. God holds fast to His own. We do not possess heaven while on this earth, but it is secured for God’s children.
At this point in history, security seems to have been uprooted. The world is in a health crisis and along with that comes a financial crisis. People are at risk of losing jobs, homes, and health. This is opposite of our hope in heaven, it is fixed and abiding still. God’s children and their inheritance are kept safely by His power (1 Peter 1:5).
Our heavenly inheritance is, “In substance incorruptible; in purity undefiled; in beauty unfading”, (from Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary).
What is the object of your hope?
What is your destiny?
Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Philip Doddridge says this of 1 Peter 1:4, “And by whom we are brought to the cheerful and confident expectation of an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, which nothing can spoil, which nothing can pollute, and which is incapable of any internal decay, as well as external violence. This inheritance is reserved in the heavens for you and for all true believers”.
Ephesians 1:18 [I pray that] the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Psalm 31:19 How great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee, Which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, before the sons of men!
