ByScreening through a general study of the first book of Peter, the Apostle writes to Christians (Jews who’re born again) scattered across several cities and continents (e.g., Asia). And all that he said applies to us, children of God of today, who live in an evil age (see Galatians 1:4) where persecution for even standing firm in the faith has become rampant in workplaces, educational institutions and many communities. As we journey through the whole study of this epistle, I would encourage you to personalise whatever you’ll learn in the subsequent articles yet to be released in every study. Today, I would like to highlight 1 Peter 1:3-5, which speaks of how God has begotten us again unto a living hope.
Verse 3
“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,”
1 Peter 1:3 (NKJV)
God has begotten us again unto a living hope. But what hope was that? Ephesians 2:12 NKJV (boldface mine) says,
“that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”
We were without hope because we didn’t have God. We were doomed unto eternal damnation in hell fire (see John 3:18). But God so loved the world, including everything in it (see John 3:16). So seeing how bad things were, He decided to send Jesus to come and die, in order to take away the sin of the world (see John 1:29) and serve as the propitiation for the sins of the whole world (see 1 John 2:2).
God is the One who first loved us (1 John 4:19). He saw that even though He had created man upright but they had sought many inventions (see Ecclesiastes 7:29), there’s still a potential in him to live according to His ways. Today, I want to tell you that if God never gave up on you when you didn’t know Him, but was patient to send people to preach the gospel unto you for you to get saved and walk in good works (see Ephesians 2:10, Romans 10:14-15), then He will never give up on what He has prepared ahead of you.
If God never gave up on you when you didn’t know Him, but was patient to send people to preach the gospel unto you for you to get saved and walk in good works, then He will never give up on what He has prepared ahead of you.
Tweet
“… through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
So God begat us again unto a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. That means our hope stands on the resurrection of Christ, and so is our faith (see 1 Corinthians 15:17).
Christ lives forever more. His hope, which we had been begotten unto, doesn’t make us ashamed. Because His love is shed abroad in our hearts (see Romans 5:5).
Love is greater than hope. So if God’s love sustains our hope, how can it fail? No! God never fails, so our hope in Him will never fail. Are you trusting in him to do something you prayed to Him about? Or to fulfil a vision He gave you? Don’t lose heart. He’s right there with you.
Verse 4
“to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,”
1 Peter 1:4 (NKJV)
Where there’s hope, there’s an expectation too. God has begotten you to a living hope because there’s an inheritance He has stored up for you, even as you endure your afflictions in the Lord Jesus for His kingdom’s sake. That inheritance is in two folds – the earthly one and the heavenly one.
Yes, Apostle Peter never mentioned the earthly inheritance reserved for us who make God-inspired sacrifices to push the mission of Jesus forward, regardless of the ministry we may be serving in. But Jesus said it in Luke 18:29-30. Let’s read that:
“ [29] … Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, [30] who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Luke 18:29-30 NKJV [Boldface mine]
So there’s an inheritance stored up for believers, both on Earth and in Heaven. But it’s not a free reward for doing nothing in God’s kingdom. No. It’s for Jesus’ sheep who sacrifice to follow God’s will and live purpose-driven lives in God’s light (see Matthew 25:32-36).
Incorruptible inheritance
Your inheritance, a reward of our labour of good works inspired by God’s love, is incorruptible and undefiled. In other words, it’s the blessing of God upon your life without any trace of sorrow (see Proverbs 10:22) when it becomes fully manifest in your life – both the earthly one and the heavenly one on the second appearance of Jesus Christ.
God Himself has reserved it for you. You don’t have to struggle or fight for it. You only have one thing to do – that is, to serve Him with gladness. And even that, it’s Him who works in you to will and do His good pleasure by His grace (see Philippians 2:13).
Don’t worry about your life. God isn’t an evil master to forget your labour of love. He will bountifully reward you for every work you’ve done to expand His kingdom. It might come in ways you never expected, but trust in Him.
Verse 5
“who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
1 Peter 1:5 (NKJV)
Being an African, I’ve witnessed several family members fight over the inheritance of family properties. And to some extent, people get killed because of these things. Justapoxing this incident to what the scripture says in 1 Peter 1:5, you, the one who’ll bear God’s inheritance, are kept by His power. So that you’ll not get destroyed or perish before the time comes for you to enjoy them.
You, the one who’ll bear God’s inheritance, are kept by His power. So that you’ll not get destroyed or perish before the time comes for you to enjoy them.
Tweet
Therefore by this revelation, be assured and confident that God is your life’s security. You’ll not die before your time once you’re connected to Him. What others work so hard to get and sustain, you’ll get without struggle, and His power will uphold them – all because of your service in His kingdom.
I once attended a church service with a group of people. During the ministration of the Word, the preacher testified how God had saved his wife from premature death after getting diagnosed with liver problems, all because we prayed with him days ago. The same God, who blessed him with a beautiful spouse, had also kept her alive to date.
Child of God, you are kept by His power. And no evil thing planned by the devil will ever succeed. He’s your life’s security and you will enjoy your inheritance. Live bold and confident while serving God. He’s got you covered.
If this Bible Study article has been of help to you, consider signing up here to receive new teachings in your inbox periodically and sharing it with a friend.
