Daily Devotional 1 Peter 1: 3-5
Some years ago, my wife and I decided to prepare a will. We wanted to know our children would be cared for in the event of our untimely deaths. If our lives unfold as normal, they will inherit whatever we leave behind. Making a will is the responsible thing to do, yet the things we pass on through it are only material and temporary.
In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope.
1 PETER 1:3
By contrast, the inheritance described in Peter’s letter is eternal and indestructible! Peter praises God for the gift of our salvation using word pictures. The first is of a “new birth into a living hope” (v. 3). Our “old birth,” so to speak, was hopeless. As humans, we are in bondage to sin and death. But through faith in Christ, we can be spiritually reborn (John 3:3–8). Christ is our Living Hope!
The second picture of salvation is of an eternal inheritance (v. 4). Unlike earthly treasures, it “can never perish, spoil or fade” (see Matt 6:19–21). Although it’s not fully ours yet, God is keeping it safe in heaven for us. The Holy Spirit is our deposit or promise of inheritance (Eph. 1:13–14). In the meantime, we’re “shielded by God’s power” (v. 5). This does not keep us from trouble or suffering, but we will never lose the inheritance. In other words, God’s power sustains believers’ faith, and His work is never unsuccessful. Our hope is therefore not wishful thinking, but a God-guaranteed certainty. We call this certainty “perseverance” or “assurance of salvation.”
These two pictures are connected: Through spiritual rebirth, we’ve been adopted into a new family, and as family members we have a new inheritance. Why did God do this?
>> What do you want to leave behind? When we think of end-of-life planning, we think about making a will (which is an act of responsible and loving stewardship). But you should also consider your spiritual legacy. What are you doing today to ensure that those you love know Jesus?
Pray with Us
Father, how can we better disciple the children in our lives? How can we more intentionally bear witness to You in our neighborhoods and workplaces? Work in and through us so that more people may come to know You.