As Peter wrote to the “elect
of God” told them how they were “begotten again”
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In chapter one and verse
four of his letter, Peter told the “scattered” Christians
about “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled” where
we read:
To an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled,
and that fades not
away, reserved in heaven for you,
The
verse begins, “To an inheritance incorruptible, and
undefiled,...” Peter began
with the phrase, “to an inheritance”
or “property received or what is given to one as a possession”
“incorruptible”
which means “uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay,
imperishable and immortal”, “and undefiled”
or “unsoiled, free from that by which the nature of a thing is
deformed and debased or when its force and vigor is impaired”. The
promise given by Peter was “a lively hope by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”, but he did not
finish his thought there, this promise is one that will not “decay,
perish or die” and it is “free” from deformity and impairment.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and that fades not away,
reserved in heaven for you,” Peter
added the phrase, “and that fades not away”
or “unfading and perennial” “reserved”
which means “to attend to carefully, take care of, guard and to
keep in the state it is” “in heaven”
or “the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible
in it and the region above the
sidereal heavens and the seat of order of things eternal and
consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”
“for you” which refers to
the Christians who have been “scattered” throughout
Asia. Not only does being “born again”
promise us a “lively hope”
which is imperishable and unsoiled, but it will never “fade
away”, and it is carefully
guarded and kept safe “in heaven”
for us.
When
we think about these awesome words of Peter, we should remember who
is sharing them. This is Peter, the great apostle, whom Jesus kept
close to him, kept charge over him, gave him authority among the
other disciples and restored him after denying Him. Peter knew of
this promised “incorruptible inheritance”,
and he knew not only was this promised “reserved”
for himself, but also for all those who put their faith and trust in
Jesus Christ. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to plant the idea of this
wonderful promise which is “reserved” and being carefully kept
“in heaven” for
us.
Next
time Peter will share about being “kept
by the power of God”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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