Friday, 28 August 2020 1 Peter 1:1-25
”…and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” -1 Peter 1:4 NLT
This Epistle gives in a nutshell the redeeming work done by God, giving us all the key elements of salvation. It begins and ends with Apostle Peter reminding us that we are just sojourners here on the earth so that we will always have our mind set on travelling towards our eternal home. The path and plan is laid down clearly. The price is paid by Christ by His precious blood. He awaits us at our destination.
Who needs to get on to this journey? Everyone!!!
The Need
There remains dissatisfaction and longing within man that can only be fulfilled by God Himself as man was created for fellowship with God. This makes him long for something that is permanent and eternal in this changing and decaying world. The key verse gives us hope. Since man finds it difficult to live a sinless life by himself, he is constantly searching for a pardon from guilt. He searches for it in different ways and seeks for it in different places and some end up on the wrong path leading to destruction instead of restoration with the Living God.
The Path
Apostle Peter spoke about Jesus to the rulers in Jerusalem, saying, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). What are we being saved from? We are being saved from the wrath of God because being a just God, He will punish sin. But He has made a way through Christ His Son. John 3:36 says, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Many paths are open as Jesus warns in Matt 7:13, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”
The Price
Jesus came to take the wrath upon Himself by paying for our sins on the cross by shedding his precious blood. In the process of salvation, one needs to acknowledge that he is a sinner and confess and believe that Christ paid for his sins on the cross and that God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead. This belief carries with it the realization of penalty paid for and restoration with God. The Bible tells us, “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved” (Romans 10:9-11).
The Plan
The plan was conceived by God Himself and when a man/ woman recognizes the need and embraces the salvation provided by God through Jesus Christ, it is implemented in their lives. The plan to reach the destination is clearly laid out throughout the Bible and this chapter is one among them. The knowledge of our salvation and heavenly destination must fill us with joy to have the strength to endure the trials and troubles on the earth as we keep ourselves holy in all our ways.
Dear Reader, you do not have to feel unworthy to go to heaven; peace with God is within your reach through Christ Jesus!
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please help me to obey and do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”
Comments