1. AN INHERITANCE RESERVED FOR YOU (1 Pet 1:3-5; Rom 1:14-17)

An inheritance is something we cannot work for or buy. It comes "by birth." It may be called a birthright. Rich men leave their properties and wealth to their children. Sometimes we wish some relatives would leave us a big inheritance. But on earth no inheritance is perfect or trouble-free. A certain lady had this experience: her father's mansion willed to her involved long-drawn costly litigation with his other children, and many unpleasant exchanges, before she finally came to possess it. By then the once stately house was badly in need of expensive repairs. How she wished she did not have that inheritance!

By contrast, the child of God has an inheritance from the Father which suffers none of the world's ill effects. Our inheritance is non-contestable and beyond the ravages of earthly decay. The Apostle Peter describes it as "incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Pet 1:4). This inheritance comes to each and every child of God, and not to anybody else. We the elect of God, according to His abundant mercy, are begotten (born) again unto a lively hope (this precious inheritance in heaven) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Pet 1:3). We are heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, because God's Spirit of adoption has taken us into God's family (Rom 8:14-17).

Our God who promises us our inheritance also ensures that we shall arrive safely at our heavenly Home, because we are kept by His power "through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed at the last time" (1 Pet 1:5). Our inheritance is also reserved: no one can take it away. Our Saviour Himself has gone ahead to make ready the Place (John 14:2-3). One day He will come again and receive us unto Himself. How wonderful is God's salvation for us His children: it is complete and perfect. It leaves no place for loop-holes or failures. As we ponder on this wonderful inheri­tance, we say together with the Apostle, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:3a)!

THOUGHT: Kept by the power of God through faith.

2. HOPE REJOICES THOUGH TRIED WITH FIRE (1 Pet 1:6-12; James 1:2-4)

Christians are not exempted from trials and tribulations, oftentimes "in heaviness through manifold temptations" (1 Pet 1:6). But the true believer is not plunged into hopelessness and despair. On the contrary, he has good reason to greatly rejoice, for he knows that whatever the suffering, it is only for a season, while beyond is the "lively hope" of an inheritance reserved in heaven (1 Pet 1:3-4). He has a bright hope to look forward to, and this makes the present trials bearable.

But even more importantly, afflictions and sorrows are for our good. It is part of our sanctification process that these things come our way. The Apostle Peter says, "... the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire ..." (1 Pet 1:7). Gold is refined by fire. It is the most precious of metals. So is faith among Christian virtues: it is spiritual currency to speed us on our way to heaven.

The fires of testing are for purification and refinement, whether of gold or of our faith. Through searing flames and scorching heat, both emerge brighter and purer. But there is a difference between them: gold must perish one day, but faith never, until we have arrived Home. Christian reader, when your faith is tried, endure with patience to the end. Then it will "be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:7). That faith which withstands the trial will present us before God, to the commendation of our Lord Jesus Christ in that great day.

Our hope is a stedfast hope, founded on the unseen Christ, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet 1:8). Did our Lord not promise, "lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world"? (Matt 28:20b). How precious is that faith which endures when sense and reason fail. The unseen Christ with us, let us persevere with rejoicing.

QUESTION: Are you going through the fire of testing?

PRAYER: Pray for strength to rejoice.

3. GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MINDS (1 Pet 1:13-17; Heb 12:1-2)

"Wherefore" is to call the believer's attention to the "lively hope" and "inheritance incorruptible" reserved in heaven toward which he ought to strive. "Gird up the loins of your mind"! Ahead is a long journey to travel, a race to run, a war to be fought. Cumbersome garments will only hinder movement. Christians must prepare for action. Let the strength and vigour of our minds be fully mobilized. Anything which may obstruct or retard our spiritual agility must be removed. "Gird up the loins of your mind"!

Hebrews 12:1 has similar instruction to Christians on their way to the heavenly City: "Wherefore... let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Whether warfare or race, the Christian life is a spiritual struggle which calls for our utmost effort. Our adversary is wily, dangerous and ever working our downfall. We are reminded of the constant peril of this crafty foe. Being forewarned, let us be forearmed.

"Be sober" ! And keep hoping "to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:13). Keep "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb 12:2). "Be obedient children ... be holy call … on the Father ..." (1 Pet 1:14-17). In His abundant mercy God had adopted us into His family, received us as sons and daughters, made us heirs of His everlasting kingdom. Our only reasonable response is to honour Him as filial and loyal children, and "not fashioning [ourselves] according to the former lusts in [our] ignorance" (1 Pet 1:14).

"… Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor 5:17).

Old sinful habits and practices are harmful to our spiritual warfare and dishonouring to God our Father. Look to Him for grace and strength to be "holy in all manner of conversation" (1 Pet 1:15b). This is the least we should do as grateful obedient children.

PRAYER: Father, I want to be like the Lord Jesus: holy, harmless, undefiled.

God bless you, dear readers.