3. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4. and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-- kept in heaven for you,
who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
We have a wonderful God. Centering our attention on the problems of this life, on other people, of what we can do and what we can’t do will bring us down. Peter's principle is to be filled with the wonder of God, by recognizing His work for our salvation, how He carried out His plan by the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. Just think of the wonder of the benefits we have received!
Peter addressed his readers with both Greek and Hebrew salutations. The Greek word is “charis” meaning grace. The word “shalom” is the Hebrew word for peace. Grace is getting what we do not desire. Peace is obtaining God's gift and having things right with our creator.
is demonstrated by not getting punished, but instead being given the gift of hope because Jesus not only died on the cross, He got up again. Peter is showing even more than that. It isn't only that Jesus arose and the good guys win, but we receive an inheritance.
First Peter tells us what it isn't. It isn't going to decay and passing away.
Your inheritance will also never be impure. The inheritance God has for you will never fade away. In fact, it is reserved in heaven for you, protected by the power of God through faith ready to be revealed when Jesus Christ comes again. The inheritance of the New Testament Christian is full and final deliverance from the curse of sin and all its effect. It is the state of perfect holiness.
God has not left the church presently without protection in the midst of hostile world. He continuously guards His own. The greatest part of the inheritance is God Himself.
Application: One of the ways to inspire us is to personalize the pronouns. Recognize the great work of God. Try reading it with your name included.
“To Dale, stranger to the world, you have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God for obedience to Jesus. In his great mercy God has given to Dale Cope new birth and an inheritance that can never perish kept in heaven for him. Through faith Dale is shielded by God's power until Jesus comes.”
Prayer: Father thank you for choosing me, giving me new birth and inheritance that can never perish, kept in heaven for me. Lord let your power shield me and my faither until Jesus comes.
