1 Peter 1:3-4 (TNIV) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, …”
In this life we strive to acquire things. We want a nice house, a nice car, nice clothes, nice friends and there is nothing wrong with any of that. It’s when those THINGS become the focal point of our lives that our value system goes askew*. When what we have in this life becomes of paramount importance, then other things must step aside. For the believer, that is usually time with God. Many times we overreach our financial capabilities and get into debt in our efforts to attain a certain lifestyle. It is God who must be paramount in our lives and not the things around us.
Focusing on God has never caused anyone to go into debt. As the world sees it, quite the opposite would be true. The world sees believers as weak people in need of a crutch. They never once consider that perhaps there just may be something bigger than they are out there.
In 1st Peter, the author writes of praising God and of a living hope. Part of our hope lies in the inheritance God has stored up for us in heaven. The things of this world shall perish … metal items will eventually turn into a pile of rusty dust; other things will fade and become misshapen over time. The treasure that is kept for us in heaven “can never perish, spoil or fade”.
What is our inheritance? Is it not God Himself and our eternal dwelling place? In my search through scripture it appears to me that this is what we can count on. We haven’t been promised wealth, because we will not need money in heaven. We will not need vehicles to get around. We will have provided for us all that we will need to exist in heaven. That is good news, especially to those who have not had much this side of heaven.
I have a suspicion that when we are in the presence of God, we won’t be bored. There will be no need for TV’s or Xboxes; movies will no longer exist, but music will be there. Some seem to think that when they arrive in heaven they will have a thing or two to tell God. Uh, I doubt that very much. At the mere sight of Almighty God I have no doubt we will all fall prostrate on the floor, afraid to look at One so holy and just. Our best deeds are as filthy rags by comparison to His glory.
Yes, we have a heavenly inheritance and it will be more than enough. We may struggle making ends meet on earth, but up in heaven there are no tears, no pain and no need will go unmet. God’s inheritance for those who are His children is something this world could never in a million years understand or even desire. The devil has duped millions into believing life is all about what you can get for yourself. He has people fighting against people for the last super toy that little Johnny has to have. He has us shooting one another over a pair of sneakers. Values are slowly becoming extinct, and morals as well.
Surrender to God today if you have not already and allow His peace to flow through you as you come to know Him in a personal way. If you are already a child of God, tap into His grace one more time; bask in the light of His mercy and be comforted. No matter what you are going through, He will see you through it to the other side if you will just let Him. Allow Him to have full reign over you starting today. Why wait?
WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!
< * off to one side; not centered; awry - www.thefreedictionary.com >
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