AN INHERITANCE. 1 s t Peter 1:4 . This inheritance stands apart from that which one may receive from our earthly forefathers. The earthly inheritance of the Jewish believers to whom Peter was writing was only a distant and fading memory; they had heard about it from others but had never experienced it for themselves. Moreover, they would never experience it because of the influence other nations had on them, to the extent that they turned away from what they had been given by God to seek other, baser things that others had. Now they had nothing but a fading memory their fathers told them about, and a powerless, joyless form of religion.
The Christian's “lively hope,” based on the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, is that we have eternal life now, which we can experience and live by each day, and that it is ours forever. We have been born again by an "incorruptible seed" that by its very nature gives us new life that remains ours through life. That eternal life will not change, and the inheritance in the eternal city in the future is the same as the eternal life we enjoy today in the house of God here. God has reserved that inheritance for us, and it will never decay nor will its reality fade. By its very nature, eternal life is unstained by sin.
This “living hope” is an inheritance in the future, not only on earth, where Christians are strangers and pilgrims. The eternal inheritance will not wear out or perish. It cannot spoil because it is “undefiled; it is “unfading” and does not diminish in its quality. It is absolutely secure because God has “reserved” it for us in heaven. Now we live in hope—a sure hope!
The inheritance believers have includes everything that eternal life offers us now and forever as heirs of God and joint heirs with our Lord Jesus Christ. The eternal city of God will never lose its beauty and holy glory. Nothing there will fade, decay, or be destroyed. There will be no sin, so there will be no unsightly stains, and we will be able to call heaven, “home!” God has already prepared that inheritance for us.
The wonders of that inheritance are so great that Peter can only describe what it is not. It can’t wear out; it can’t spoil; it can’t fade, and it is absolutely secure because God has reserved it in heaven. This is part of the “living hope” we have because of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Death will not take any of it away; sin will not make it impure, and this inheritance is timeless.
From among the dead, a stirring like never before, the Giver of Life, who laid down His life, brings new life into His body. He is alive forevermore. Those who were dead in trespasses and sins are born again by the Spirit of God, who can give spiritual life and hope through a Person. Now, a whole new family is formed— all who have been born again.
Temporarily, we are here, but we won't stay in this place. An inheritance we have tasted awaits our coming, and we, with Him who died and rose again, are joint-heirs of eternal blessings through an eternal day. There is nothing in that inheritance that will spoil or rust; it is impervious to all elements around. For all of the inheritance is spiritual in nature. Every part of it bears the divine imprint of the God in whom we trust.
This inheritance won’t perish; we can’t use it up until it’s gone. It contains the essence of God in every part. The fullness of this inheritance cannot be measured. There’s no way to deplete all its riches until they’re finished. Every part of this inheritance retains its inherent freshness. It’s like it's new every time we claim a part. The brightness of spiritual glories forever it retains. Such an abundant inheritance with all its glories, He has given us.
The value of our inheritance will never decrease. This inheritance won't be challenged in court or scrutinized for obscure legalities. It remains unchanged, with no hidden clauses or loopholes. It is held securely and reserved in heaven for us. Our inheritance is reserved for us by God, and through God's power, we are reserved for that inheritance. It's no wonder that our hearts overflow with praise for God, and that we feel joy even in sorrow because of circumstances, as we realize who we are in Christ, all we have in Christ, and what we will be forever in Christ. This "lively hope"—"living hope," which the resurrection of Christ guarantees—will never perish, spoil, or fade away. Praise God!!