‘He is risen!’- Part 20

Do you need encouragement? Peter’s words offer joy and hope in times of trouble, and he bases his confidence on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. We’re called into a living hope of eternal life (1:3). Our hope is not only for the future; eternal life begins when we trust Christ and join God’s family. No matter what pain or trial we face in this life, we know that it is not our final experience. Eventually, we will live with Christ forever.

The Jews had looked forward to an inheritance in the Promised Land of Canaan (Num 32:19; Deut 2:12; 19:9). Christians now look forward to a family inheritance in the eternal city of God. God has reserved the inheritance; it will never fade or decay; it will be unstained by sin. The best part is that you have an inheritance, if you have trusted Christ as your Saviour.
Kept by the power of God through faith. This verse presents three truths concerning the security of believers, a particularly relevant message for Peter’s audience, since many of them were experiencing intense persecution.

(1) Believers are “kept” (i.e., protected) by the power of God against Satan’s sinister forces of evil that seek to destroy their lives and salvation in Christ (2 Tim 4:18; Jude 1,24).

(2) The essential condition required for God’s protection is “faith.” God’s keeping us by His grace does not work arbitrarily, for only “through faith” are believers protected by the power of God, just as only “through faith” are believers saved (Eph 2:8). Thus, a living faith in Christ as Lord and Saviour is our present responsibility in maintaining God’s continued protection (v. 9; John 15; 4,6; Col 1:23; 2 Tim 3:14-15; 4:7; Rev 3:8, 10).

(3) The ultimate goal of God’s protection through the believer’s faith is “salvation.” Here, salvation refers to the future dimension of salvation (cf. Rom 1:16), i.e., the obtaining of an inheritance in heaven (v. 4) and “the salvation of your souls” (v. 9).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ emphasises the believer’s security.“Because of the hope, which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel” (Col 1:5)

When Paul says that our hope is “laid up in heaven,” he is emphasising the believer’s security. Because we know that our future destination and salvation are sure, we are free to live for Christ and love others (1 Peter 1:3, 4). When you find yourself doubting or wavering in your faith or love, remember your destination—heaven.Christ living in us is our assurance of future glory and eternal life—our obtaining heaven

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col 1:27)

“Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Christ’s living in us is our assurance of future glory and eternal life. Only His indwelling and our continual intimate communion with Him can dispel any doubt about obtaining heaven. To have Him is to have life (cf. Rom 8:11; Eph 1:13-14; 1 John 5:11-12).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ assures us of the “blessed hope”.“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)

“Blessed hope,” “Blessed,” Gk makarian, implies a fullness of blessing, as well as God’s gracious favour and the happiness of being in our new bodies that will be immortal and not subject to corruption or decay.
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