Devotions

Because we are elect, regenerate, and redeemed, we have a living hope of a glorious inheritance. Peter lifts the minds of his readers away from the reproaches, persecutions, and afflictions of this present world to the glorious anticipation of their promised and sure inheritance in the world to come.

Notice that it is an inheritance. It is not attained by our own exertions, but is bequeathed to us and is ours already by promise through the death of the Testator, our Lord Jesus Christ. How sure it is! We must inherit, for the Testator has already died, and the terms of His covenant must be fulfilled (Heb. 9:15-17).

It is an undying inheritance, incorruptible. There is no seed of death there, for there is no sin in heaven. Its glories, its felicities, and its joys are undying. They will never sour with the oft tasting.

It is an undefiled inheritance. This word indicates that there is nothing added to it. There is nothing to mitigate its holiness and happiness. In all our enjoyments of earth there is an admixture of infirmity and sorrow. But not so in heaven.

Our inheritance is therefore unfading. It will never cease to give joy. It is always fresh, satisfying, and new. As we follow the Lamb, we will be led to deeper, fuller springs of life eternal.

Then, it is unremovable. It is reserved in heaven for us. It is under the guardianship of divine wisdom and power, and so are we the inheritors kept by the power of God. One day soon it will be revealed, and we will see it in perfect fulness and reality.

Let us count the trials of this life as but a light thing in the anticipation of such a promised and joyful inheritance.