New Birth Brings Living Hope through Christ’s Resurrection (Part 2)

1Peter 1:3-5

Peter continued addressing these Jewish and Gentile believers, who were scattered throughout the world because of persecution. He declared to them that they were the “elect” (v.2), the chosen of God. While on his way to the garden, Jesus told his disciples,“You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last…” (John 15:16, NRSV). In spite of persecution, believers are kingdom builders and have many reasons to praise God. If we had ten thousand tongues, we could never give Him the thanks He deserves for His infinite mercy.

He has given us a living hope. Our former hope, the worldly hope, was dead and offered us no chance of eternal life. God’s gift of a new birth through the resurrected Christ is to an “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (v.4). Believers, the heirs of the kingdom of God by faith in Jesus Christ, have an inheritance that is imperishable. The Amplified Bible describes it as being “beyond the reach of change.” All “thanks go to the Father, who has made us suitable to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints” (Colossians 1:12). Peter further describes this glorious inheritance as being undefiled, which comes from the Greek word amiantos. There is no bodily imperfection and nothing unbecoming in his life and conduct. “It does not fade;” it’s everlasting and “reserved in heaven for you, who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time” (v.5, Amp Bible). What a blessed assurance this is!