1 Peter 1:3-4
by Jason
Read this.
I have this listed as a favorite book (profile). Every phrase pounds against my heart; there is no rest from the waves. One after the other they crash in and I am helpless against them. They beat against the walls set by my humanness. They break me down. As they come, my heart is subdued by the perfection of God's word. It's design is flawless. He reveals that I need His mercy and His son by promising life, protection, and an imperishable inheritance that He keeps for me. <deep breath> Not a contradiction, perfection.
The Bible is poetry, wisdom, hyperbole, prophecy, and always truth; this passage is a promise. But who is us and you? Verse 1: "To God's elect, strangers in the world..." His children. Such an overwhelming idea itself -- and reserved for a future writing.
Born-again Christians? Every one of them. It doesn't get more explicit than this: "He [God the Father] has given us a new birth..." Every Christian must be born again into this "living hope." I love the spring time. Everything comes back to life. It happens so quickly, you can almost feel it. I pray for that kind of continual renewal in my heart, that God would make everything clean and fresh again and I would be a rich soil where His life can take up its roots and grow. This all hinges on a single phrase: "through the resurection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Not just "through Christ" or "because you are really neat," it is because He has overcome death, even death on a cross, and sits at the right hand of the Father.
This passage promises an inheritance. Doesn't an inheritance usually come after someone has died? Oh yeah... He did. I must. I have not had the personal loss of a loved one who left me an inheritance. That day will come, but I am thankful it has not come yet. What I know of that day, however, is that the passing of an inheritance is not a joyful moment. The friends that share their experiences with me talk of very mixed emotions: gratitude, sorrow, relief, guilt. Is this inheritance much different?
Is this inheritance salvation? I don't think so. I think it is even more. An inheritance is meant to be used by the receiver. Something that can be taken and multiplied. Not to mention, this promise is "kept in heaven" for us. Salvation gets us in, but what's waiting once we get there? Something more? Something better? I don't have this answer, but somehow, this inheritance that is meant to be used and enjoyed will exist for eternity. Sounds like, well, heaven.
He keeps this inheritance for me and I do not deserve it. His mercy is truly great. It breaks me down and brings me to my knees.
We'll get to verse 5 later...
I have this listed as a favorite book (profile). Every phrase pounds against my heart; there is no rest from the waves. One after the other they crash in and I am helpless against them. They beat against the walls set by my humanness. They break me down. As they come, my heart is subdued by the perfection of God's word. It's design is flawless. He reveals that I need His mercy and His son by promising life, protection, and an imperishable inheritance that He keeps for me. <deep breath> Not a contradiction, perfection.
The Bible is poetry, wisdom, hyperbole, prophecy, and always truth; this passage is a promise. But who is us and you? Verse 1: "To God's elect, strangers in the world..." His children. Such an overwhelming idea itself -- and reserved for a future writing.
Born-again Christians? Every one of them. It doesn't get more explicit than this: "He [God the Father] has given us a new birth..." Every Christian must be born again into this "living hope." I love the spring time. Everything comes back to life. It happens so quickly, you can almost feel it. I pray for that kind of continual renewal in my heart, that God would make everything clean and fresh again and I would be a rich soil where His life can take up its roots and grow. This all hinges on a single phrase: "through the resurection of Jesus Christ from the dead." Not just "through Christ" or "because you are really neat," it is because He has overcome death, even death on a cross, and sits at the right hand of the Father.
This passage promises an inheritance. Doesn't an inheritance usually come after someone has died? Oh yeah... He did. I must. I have not had the personal loss of a loved one who left me an inheritance. That day will come, but I am thankful it has not come yet. What I know of that day, however, is that the passing of an inheritance is not a joyful moment. The friends that share their experiences with me talk of very mixed emotions: gratitude, sorrow, relief, guilt. Is this inheritance much different?
Is this inheritance salvation? I don't think so. I think it is even more. An inheritance is meant to be used by the receiver. Something that can be taken and multiplied. Not to mention, this promise is "kept in heaven" for us. Salvation gets us in, but what's waiting once we get there? Something more? Something better? I don't have this answer, but somehow, this inheritance that is meant to be used and enjoyed will exist for eternity. Sounds like, well, heaven.
He keeps this inheritance for me and I do not deserve it. His mercy is truly great. It breaks me down and brings me to my knees.
We'll get to verse 5 later...
posted by Jason @ 08:30
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1 comments
1 Comments:
While I do not understand what a blog even is, if it allows me to see into the mind and heart of my son-in-law like this posting does, I am all for it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I look forward to more.
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