See also 1st Peter 1: 3 – 6 … 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
My Journal for Today: Today (above) we have two passages to consider, which both convey two elements of a powerful message of truth. Taking these messages together, we see that rich and poor, as well as the powerful and the weak in this world, are loved and served equally by God. Aren’t you glad? I sure am.
Take note of what happened on Christmas Eve in 2004 with the incredible devastation of the far-eastern tsunami. Many rich and powerful tourists were swept away, along with the poorer and less powerful residents in those areas affected. It is true that the rain falls on the rich and poor alike when it falls, just like the love and grace of God showers all equally; … the worldly powerful and the worldly weak are covered equally by the love and grace of God. Again … praise the Lord for this truth!
And as we read above from Peter’s praise, the poor and disenfranchised of the world can take hope – great hope – in the resurrection power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. ALL believers, no matter what our social status may be, can, and actually, must revel in the glory of our future inheritance as believers in Christ. Read of this in Ephesians 1: 11 – 14 …
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1: 11 – 14 … 11 In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 Who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
However, after taking in this truth of God’s impartial love and grace being offered to all who would receive it, we also have to consider the other side of this spiritual coin, where the opposite and horrible truth resides for those who choose not to believe in and receive Christ as Savior and Lord. Whether these non-believers be rich or poor, powerful or not, they will one day, BY THEIR CHOICE to reject Christ, be living together and eternally in the fires of hell, which is separation from the same God Who would have visited His glory on them had they chosen to receive His saving grace..
So, may we all – rich and poor – powerful and week - come to the Cross to receive the glorious inheritance which awaits us from our faith in the resurrected Christ. Oh, how I pray you have joined me here.
My Prayer Today: You, Lord, are my only hope and refuge. Amen
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