FAITH… POWER. 1st Peter 1:5 (second superlative: indissoluble inheritance. 5-6) Since we have been born again into a living hope, God will help us stay faithful through any difficult times. We may face trials and persecution, but our souls can't be harmed if we have accepted Christ’s gift of salvation. We will persevere because we are protected by God’s power and live by faith. We know we will receive the promised reward.
Christians are "kept" (guarded) by God's power, not by our own works or even our own faith. Our faith is placed in our God, who saves us and sustains us. We receive God's blessings through faith, and as a result, God's grace is given to us. We trusted Him in the past for salvation from the penalty of sin when we repented and believed the Gospel. Our current sanctification is also genuine by God's power and leads to daily salvation from the power of sin. It will be God's power in the future that delivers us from the very presence of sin when Christ returns, and we are glorified with Him.
Salvation in the future inspires us to move ahead because of a “lively hope”: a sure hope in Christ [3-5]; enables us to rejoice in trials [6-9]; prophets and angels looked for it. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: we praise God Himself. Do not neglect the Giver when you receive the gifts. Praise God for His mercy shown in the new birth. We have been regenerated; this is not wishful thinking.
The Father directs and administers; the Son responds and obeys—each working in His own role. Lively hope: we are born again to it; it is an inheritance [v.4] described by what it is not. It is imperishable because it cannot wear out; unfading because it cannot diminish in quality; secure because God holds it in reserve for us in heaven. Israel had an earthly inheritance. God’s people have an eternal inheritance in heaven, undefiled by sin. Kept (shielded) by the power of God: God’s power will enable us to receive complete salvation when it is fully revealed at Christ’s return. Faith is a major emphasis for pilgrims [v.5,7,9,21]. We are protected by faith until all that God has planned is fulfilled. The living hope is guaranteed by the resurrection of Christ [v.4]; a wonderful inheritance awaits God’s children [v.4]; the final stage of salvation [v.5].
It is always present—constantly available—always active. God's power—upholding life— graciously anointing a believer's life with the purpose of strengthening a testimony rooted in God's beginning point, which is regeneration. Through His power, this lost soul, wandering in darkness, is now sustained by His power through the Spirit’s indwelling.
Decisions need to be made, and I wait patiently for God’s guidance to be revealed so I can uphold His truths and purposes. As faith operates in truth, I continue the work He has entrusted to me and rely on the grace given to sustain what God has done through this humble vessel. He preserves it by strengthening it through His Spirit and His Word, passing it on through teaching.
That power I first saw and experienced came to me when Saving Grace revealed the truth of salvation. That same grace is sustaining me, as the three Persons of the Godhead each work on my behalf by remaining with me through every step of life, giving purpose to my existence. They guide me and enable me to act in faith as opportunities arise to serve through faith and works, with God’s sustaining power providing for every need.