According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ... [1]
What is this inheritance that Peter speaks about?
In a worldly sense, an inheritance is usually something material that is left to an heir by someone who has passed away.
In a spiritual sense, we won’t really know exactly what this will be, until we receive it! Even the apostle John says:
.. what we will be has not yet appeared[2]
Now, I’m not going to go into the subject of Inheritance & Reward in detail in the context of Peter’s letter. It’s a fairly big subject on its own. Let us remember that Peter is writing to his friends to encourage them to live godly lives. It’s one of the main reasons for his two letters. So, we need to look at inheritance in that context.
What does living a godly life have to do with inheritance?
The New Testament is clear that at no point is 'inheritance' dependent merely on justification. Just because you have been born again, through no work of your own, it does not mean that the inheritance is secure. It is not received by 'faith only'. The inheritance is not received automatically.
Inheritance is reward, - and it is a reward for something. This is the central motivating theme in the New Testament. Paul says that in a race for a prize you should run that you may obtain it[3] He also makes this point in his letter to the Colossians
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.[4]
Paul‘s words imply us being put in a position where something is possible. Paul thinks of reward as something that is open to the Christian, but is dependent on works of faith. When we are changed in Christ, we still have to work out what he has worked in.
Jesus said: Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. [5] The writer to the Hebrews said that we should be …imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. [6] There are implications in both those scriptures that inheritance is dependent on persistent works of faith.
Therefore, inheritance can be lost!
This is suggested in some New Testament scriptures, and is even explicit in others, like 1 Corinthians 6:9, where Paul says
… do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?[7]
and elsewhere where he lists sins that can block the way to inheritance, here and hereafter, if the Christian is tolerant of them.
This is one of the great motives to live godly lives, beloved. God holds out the possibility of 'inheriting' rich blessing. Those who sow to the Holy Spirit will reap something back from the Holy Spirit. They will experience the presence of God, they will enter into rest, they will know something of the powers of the kingdom of God.
In some mysterious way, everything they have done for Jesus will be laid up for them as treasure in heaven. We may not know exactly what that inheritance is going to be, but scripture includes
· honour,
· a name for obedience, and
· a level of physical glory.
· enjoyment of the glorified planet earth.
Our inheritance may be obtained even now by our living in the resurrection power of Jesus. As we live for Jesus we obtain treasure in heaven.
A natural inheritance can be material today and gone tomorrow, especially if the heirs squander it! But, Peter tells his friends that the inheritance that is waiting for them is very different. He says it is:
· ‘imperishable’ (unable to cease to exist),
· ‘undefiled’ (unable to lead us into sin) and
· ‘unfading’ (unable to deteriorate).
Peter gives praise to God for these great expectations! Then he goes one step further!
He not only tells them that the inheritance is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, but that it is guarded for us – it is kept for us! This inheritance, beloved, Peter says, is , kept in heaven for you, [5] who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.[8]
Our inheritance is ‘kept’, Peter says. It is being held onto for us. We only have a taste of it now. There is more to come. It is quite safe, Peter says, since it is in heaven beyond the reach of sin or death or the devil.
But not only is our inheritance guarded for us; we are guarded for it. God’s guarding takes place through our faith. And our faith is guarded as well! By God’s power! Peter knew that because Jesus had said to him: ‘I have prayed for you that your faith does not fail’ – and Jesus gets His prayers answered. Isn’t that an amazing revelation of God’s great mercy and grace?
When we trust ourselves to God, He gives us total protection. His great power works on our behalf. Nothing can happen to us that is not God’s plan for our lives. Even if God temporarily gives Satan permission to bother us (like he did with Job) it will do us no ultimate harm. Peter wants us to know that it certainly cannot damage our inheritance.
Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t that a life worth living for?
If you’re a committed believer, be encouraged today that your race is progressing very well. You have a living hope and an inheritance waiting for you. Keep going! Keep looking up!
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Pe 1:3–5).. [2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Jn 3:2).. [3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Co 9:24). [4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Col 3:23–24). [5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 5:5).. [6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Heb 6:12).. [7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Co 6:9).. [8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Pe 1:3–5). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
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