An Inheritance of Hope

Photo by Kim Calhoun used by permission

 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

1 Peter  1:3-4

God grants us new birth…in great mercy.  The birth makes accessible to us a living hope which is made possible by Christ’s death on the cross. And this inheritance which is a gift of his mercy, is waiting for us in heaven.  We do not now possess it…it awaits us until the Day of the Lord and the coming judgement.

It takes faith to hold on to this hope. The hope has been permanently purchased for us by Christ’s blood…it is “real estate” in a different country where we have not yet dwelt or made our habitation.  But we have hope and faith in the owner who has deeded us this estate.  And we are depending on his mercy to keep his word to us.

 Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 21 (NIV)

What does this all mean, practically to us? It means to remain in His love since it is by that means that we receive his gift of mercy: eternal life.  It means that, since this inheritance is ours through faith, and that this faith is also a gift of God (Eph 2:8-9) available to us, it is important to keep the lines of communion with God open and healthy

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 1 Timothy 6:20

We must protect and value the faith that we have received and our belief in the inheritance we have coming.  Avoid arguments with people who would seek to undermine our faith, claiming that they have some special knowledge, or scientific learning which would contradict the truth with which we have been entrusted.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

Our faith is the only thing of value that we can offer to God. Our good works and our knowledge and our labors are only filthy rags in his eyes…if we present them in an attempt to earn his favor.  We can work and our works please him when they are the outpouring of our faith and love.   

We are told to “diligently seek Him”-- what does that mean?  Study Scripture, yes, but also learn to walk and live a life of faith.  Faith pleases God and it will obtain for us the inheritance promised by God to his children who have placed their hope and trust in him. Without faith—we are lost.