Living
Hope and Incorruptible Inheritance
What is the most valuable thing about being a born-again
follower of Jesus?
Certainly the benefits are beyond countless but think
about it ...
Eternity is a really long time. The human mind cannot even begin
to comprehend FOR-EVER. Close your eyes—right now—and try to imagine
Eternity—Forever and ever and ever and ...
As promised, I’m posting the second part of the blessings
found in 1 Peter 1. My previous post is titled, “Hope Alive” (posted June 6,
2017).
As a result of God’s abundance of mercy toward all people
living hope comes through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Therefore the living Christ makes
possible a living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
And the ultimate hope that is alive in us Jesus followers is the anticipation
of our eternal destiny—our place of residence following death or the catching
away of the saints—which ever happens first for each of us.
Verse four of the first chapter of 1 Peter is rich in
hope, alive with glorious expectancy. The apostle Peter writes, “Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant
mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that
does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
The English Standard Version (ESV) puts it this way: “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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled,
and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
What
an amazing inheritance we have!
It
is-
-
incorruptible, meaning imperishable; Greek - aphthartos, meaning undecaying; not
corruptible, immortal. Synonyms – indissoluble, permanent, endless, eternal,
perpetual. (1) page 2118
-
undefiled; Greek – amiantos,
meaning unsoiled, pure, unpolluted. Synonyms – sincere, unalloyed, holy as
being free from admixture of evil, sacred. (1) page 2092
-
will not fade away – Greek – amarantos, meaning perpetual; unfading, hence enduring. (1)
page 2091
As I was writing this post, I received word that the
father of a friend died last night. I didn’t know the father but my friend’s
family is confident that their loved-one is now realizing the fullness of his
glorious inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and will never fade
away. WOW! Think of it.
Of course there is sadness in the passing of a loved one,
who will be missed in this earthly life, but the living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus eases the pain of separation and calls out to a future
reunion that is eternal and greater than anything we can imagine.
Thank You, Father God and thank You, Jesus, our Savior.
©Copyright
2017 Connie Wohlford
