I Peter 1:3-5
Peter addressed this epistle to dispersed believers scattered throughout five provinces of Asia Minor. These believers were suffering severely for their faith. Although suffering severely for their faith, Peter place their suffering in proper focus by reminding them of their spiritual blessings. Peter began in verse 3 by praising God for the blessing of “new life.” The believers could praise God because through the new birth, God had given them spiritual life that no one could deprive them of. This life carried with it a lively (living) hope.
A living hope is based on a living Saviour! This new life began with God extending “His abundant mercy” to the undeserving. Mercy speaks of pity or compassion toward the helpless and withholding from them the judgment they justly deserve. Our God is “rich in mercy,” whereby He rescues sinners and makes them His children (Ephesians 2:4-5). We need to thank God every moment of our existence for His awesome mercy! Because of the new birth, we have a living hope; and we have a living hope because we have a living Saviour!
The historical basis for the new birth is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Jesus’ death was essential to our salvation because through it He bore God’s judgment for our sins. Yes, Jesus bore the full measure of God’s wrath for our sin, for II Corinthians 5:21 states: “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
Secondly, the next blessing that each believer has is a heavenly inheritance (v. 4). As children of God, we have a heavenly inheritance. Peter stressed several characteristics of this inheritance. First, it is “incorruptible.” It cannot be destroyed by decay, fire, rust, mold or termites. It is durable as the God who gives it. Second, it is “undefiled.” It cannot be tainted or contaminated by sin. Third, this inheritance “faded not away.” It will never be diminished in value or quantity. Finally, it is “reserved in heaven” for the proper recipients. The word “reserved” means guarded, a word that should encourage every believer.
The third blessing of the believer is the “keeping power of God” (v. 5). Peter assured his readers that just as their inheritance was being guarded for them, so they were being preserved for it. Enemies might destroy the physical lives of God’s people, but they cannot deprive them of their eternal salvation. Believers are “kept by the power of God.” When we are tempted to complain about our difficulties, we should review the spiritual blessings we have in Christ. We possess new life; a heavenly inheritance and God’s keeping power to preserve us unto Him. We can trust that God will preserve us until He ultimately consummates His salvation work in us, for Jude 24 states: “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
Paul was confident that God’s salvation work will be completed in us for I Thessalonians 5:23 says: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Yes, at the Rapture we will be complete because I John 3:2 says: “Beloved now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”
May God Bless!
