INHERITANCE

 
July 15, 2021                                                INHERITANCE
1 Peter 1:3-4, 6-7, 13 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”   “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than goal which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”     “Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
There are numerous scriptures pointing out blessings that come in this present life for those who love the Lord, but if not alert, we become primarily focused on the here and now. However, in many places throughout the New Testament, we are reminded that we have an awesome inheritance yet to come. As discussed in a recent blog, God gave us the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our full and complete redemption that we will receive when Jesus returns for His bride-the church. The inheritance that God has reserved for us in heaven is reason for hope. If our hope is in this life only, surely we will be disappointed. In years past, heaven was the subject of many of the sermons as well as many of the hymns. However, during those years there was a lack of emphasis on living out the gospel in this present life. It seems the pendulum has swung to the point that today, we hear little about heaven and the blessings reserved for us there, but we primarily hear about how to be blessed in this present life.  There are blessings to today for sure, but there are also difficulties and trials today that no one is exempt from. The verses above remind us that the proof of our faith is more precious than goal-and it is in trials that our faith is proved.  Often, this emphasis on blessings for the now, can lead to disappointment and confusion because the reality is that we experience trials. For us, even when the trying times come our way, let us have as a bedrock a living hope on the inheritance reserved for us, and that one day, our redemption will be complete. This hope is not a wish, but is a steadfast hope based on the promises of God.
Ephesians 1:18 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.”
Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Blessings,
Buddy