Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Marsha's Musings: Look What is Ahead! (1 Peter 1:3-5 KJV)



Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 KJV)

Were it not for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we would not have a lively hope for the future.  Just look at what we have to look forward to!  We have an inheritance that cannot be corrupted, is undefiled and will not fade away.  This doesn't compare in anyway to earlthly inheritances.  What's more it's reserved in heaven for us.

Even better, those of us whom God has saved will perseve and will recieve that inheritance because we are kept by the power of God through faith.

There is one more thing I see here. The sentence structure is a little confusing, but I can take it two ways.  We are kept by the power to God through faith unto salvation and we will be ready to be revealed in the last time.  Or, we can take it that salvation will be ready to be revealed in the last time.  Either way works.

If it is talking about us being revealed in the last time, it indicates to me that God will complete His work in me so that I will be ready and fit for heaven.  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6 KJV)

If it is talking about salvation being ready to be revealed in the last time, this also works because salvation has a past, present and future aspect to it.  We are saved (justified).  We are being saved (sanctification).  We will be saved (resurrected to heaven). Another way to look at it, Christ saved us by his death, burial & resurrection (past).  The Holy Spirit is saving us through sanctificaiton (present).  And God will save us when He takes us home to heaven (future).

However you look at this verse, it is full of encouragement!  This world isn't all there is.  There is so much more to come! Take heart when things get tough...keep your eyes on the goal and know that this isn't all there is down here.

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