Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, which according to
His abundant mercy hath begotten us
again 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.
I Peter 1: 3 -- 5
I return to these verses from yesterdays blog to aid us in our growth towards our relationship to our Father and of our Savior Jesus Christ. Peter gives to us that God who is blessed and who is the Father of Jesus Christ and has great mercy. If it was not for the great mercy of God we would be left in our sins and left to die with no hope for life after our death. When we were born our life on this earth began and due to sin death was the ultimate in for this life. Peter reminds us that due to God's great mercy we have been begotten again, that is, we have been given life that supersedes the life that we had when we were born. God did not create "willy-nilly" rather God had a plan, foreknowledge so that He knows all things before they actually happened and by His providence has determined that those who put their faith in Jesus Christ have a living hope. This hope, this living hope, has its foundation in through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. By the vicarious death and resurrection of Jesus Christ all those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ have an inheritance that cannot be destroyed for it is incorruptible and it is undefiled, that is, send no longer has a hold upon that person who by their faith has a place in heaven reserved for them. Our faith that this is true is based upon the power of God who throughout Scripture has revealed not only His power but that He will keep his promise. By means of your day then your faith is guarded and salvation is yours and will be revealed to you when Jesus returns and the last time.
Take a moment to think upon this, that God not only gives you grace, but He preserves you unto glory. You are being kept, persecution, trials, and any attack upon your life and faith as a Christian means that you will not be overcome. There is an old hymn "turn your eyes upon Jesus" that means that we are not to turn our eyes upon this world with all of its trappings that seems so good times but only leads you far away from our Lord and Savior Christ. If you are serious, that is, you have converted to the Lord Jesus Christ even if you have failed Him at times and have repented and turned away from that sin then you not only are forgiven but are reminded of the glorious time, in which you will be admitted to the presence of Jesus Christ and behold his glory.
We have every reason to be jubilant knowing that our salvation is secure by the power of God according to His foreknowledge. No one can secure this salvation by any works no matter how good they are, how godly they are, and only can be secure that when you hear the word of God and faith comes by that hearing and you have placed your faith upon Jesus Christ then you are saved. Your salvation is simply by means of the mercy and grace of God. Now, there is no reason for a person to live the life that God requires of His children. The question is: will you live that life?
He that followeth after righteousness
and mercy findeth life, righteousness,
and honor.
Proverbs 21: 21
Follow our blessed God
Richard L. Crumb
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