The Wait is Worth the Reward

Peter Writes to the Scattered Church

Peter is writing a circulatory letter to the churches in modern day turkey. These churches were in the provinces of Rome. They were being persecuted for their faith so Peter is writing a letter of encouragement to the Churches.

Peter is an apostle of Jesus Christ. He was called to shepherd the sheep of Jesus. This means Jesus Church. All of these churches were provinces of Rome and under tight roman control. As a result, these churches were suffering persecution so He is writing them to remain faithful to the gospel and Jesus Christ.

He reminded them that they are aliens on this earth. Their true home is heaven. They are only here on earth for a short period of time and that they are to bring heaven to earth. This world is not our home our citizenship is in the kingdom of God. We must live by its laws and decrees not the worlds.

We too are aliens on this earth. We must keep in mind that when things get tough, they won’t be tough long. Our lives are a short 70-100 years and then we take up permanent residence in heaven.

Not only were they aliens on this earth but they were also chosen by God. God always initiates salvation. He chose them to be sanctified by His Spirit, obey Christ, and sprinkled by his blood. As believers in Jesus Christ we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. He transforms our hearts and lives to look more like Jesus. We learn to put away the things of the flesh and walk according to the Spirit. This is how we obey Christ. When we live by the moving of the Spirit in our lives. he gives us guidance of how to use our lives to glorify Him. It is the process of “follow me!” The fact that we are sprinkled by His blood means that we are forgiven of our sins. When we mess up, we are not cast out and lose our salvation. We are forgiven in the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Peter requests that grace and peace be theirs to the fullest measure. Grace is the supernatural strength God gives to accomplish His will. Peace comes from living in the grace of God.

Peter Reminds Them of Three Gifts God Gives Believers

All Believers Are Born Again

God gives life to the dead soul so that it will live forever together with God in heaven. Jesus explains this to Nicodemus in John 3:1-8

John 3:1–8 NASB95

Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Jesus explains to Nicodemus that those that are born in the flesh are flesh and those born in the Spirit are spirit. You must be born in both ways. A person that is born of the flesh is one who merely has physical life. Those who have physical life and no spiritual life will not enter the kingdom of God.

A person that is born of the Spirit is the One who God has initiated salvation and the person receives God’s salvation. When the person receives God’s salvation there soul is quickened to the fact that their sin separates them from God. It also reveals the sufficiency of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and power of it through His resurrection. A person is born of the Spirit when he repents of his sin and places their faith in Jesus.

We have a hope of eternal life. This prepares us for death. We know that the christian never dies. His last breath here is a transition to his eternal home with Jesus. John 11:25-26

John 11:25–26 NASB95

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”

This is the hope we have in Jesus Christ. What a wonderful gift. When we transition from this world to heaven we receive an inheritance.

All Believers Receive an Inheritance

Our heavenly inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, will not fade away, and is in reserve for you. Many times we try to equate our heavenly treasures to treasures here on earth. Nothing on earth meets the qualifications of our earthly treasures. First our inheritance is imperishable. This means that it doesn’t perish. It is good forever. Cars stop running, houses are always breaking, toys stop working because everything in this world is perishable. Just imagine the inheritance that we will receive will not perish.

Our inheritance will be undefiled. Everything in this world has been tainted by sin. There is nothing that is perfect. The most beautiful sites you have ever scene are not perfect they are tainted by sin. When we get to heaven there is no sin. This means that everything that we see will be perfect! It will be an OCD’s paradise! Romans 8:20-23

Romans 8:20–23 NASB95

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

When we get to heaven everything will be undefiled because sin and its affects will be removed.

Not only will our inheritance be imperishable and undefiled it will never run out. Everything we we own runs out in some capacity. Our cellphones run out of battery. Our cars run out of gas. Our pantries run out of food. our closets run out of clothes to wear. our bank accounts run out of money. In heaven our inheritance lasts forever.

We don’t have to worry about getting it. It is reserved for us and waiting for us to get there to receive it.

Our Salvation is Protected By God.

When we repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, the Lord causes us to persevere to the end. This does not mean that we will live a perfect life after salvation, but will have the Holy Spirit to guide us with conviction of sin and deeds of righteousness Ephesians 1:13

Ephesians 1:13 NASB95

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

When you trust in Jesus as your saviour, He seals you by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that seals our salvation.

The Holy Spirit changes our personhood and begins to conform us into the image of Christ. This is a lifelong process that culminates in glorification.