1 Peter 1:3-5 “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant[great] mercy, has caused us to be born again[re-born] to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  To an inheritance imperishable[incorruptible], undefiled, and unfading, kept [reserved] in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. “ (emphasis mine) ESV

By His great Mercy – has given us a Spiritual Re-birth – to a Living Hope – our Inheritance in Heaven – by the Power of the Holy Spirit –  Guarded by our Faith – for our Salvation

True genuine followers of Christ who have received the Holy Spirit can rest assured with the Living Hope by the faithful promise of our heavenly Father that our place in heaven has been reserved and can not be taken away from us.  We understand that the gift of salvation does not free us from our faithful obedience to Christ who has died so that we can live through Him to everlasting life.

Be encouraged and strengthened with these faithful promises and words of truth as spoken by Peter in His first letter to first century followers of Christ after the death and resurrection of Christ.  During this time believers were persecuted and faced many trials and suffering most of which ended in death just as Jesus had warned them would happen in John 15:18 thru 16:3.

Even now Christ followers throughout the world are beaten, jailed, and put to death.  Faithful men and women who have committed themselves to spreading the gospel of Christ.  Truly, how many of us in this country would be willing to die for Christ ?   How strong is your faith and your love of Jesus Christ ?  

In 1 Peter 1:6-7  “ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise, glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

As Christ followers we know there will be trials and circumstances that cause grieving and distress in our lives.  With the power of Christ working in us we know He is with us to overcome and help us and that whatever we face is temporary.  With the knowledge of knowing, that living with Christ forever, is far more precious than anything this world has to offer. 

1 Peter 1:8-9 “ Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.  Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”   

2 Corinthians 5:7  “ For we walk by faith, not by sight.“

When a person’s heart has received the precious gift of faith which is given to us by the power of God, then and only then do we become alive with the Holy Spirit. The moment we genuinely believe in and have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior our hearts are filled with an indescribable joy and love.   

Additional verses that speak to us profoundly with our salvation are found in Galatians 2:20  “ I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Ephesians 2:5,8  “ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.  v8  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; It is the gift of God.”

Ephesians 3:16,17  “ According to the riches of His glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power though His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you being rooted and grounded in love.”

Spiritual power, a gift from God, is available to every follower of Christ who has submitted themselves and trusted in Jesus Christ for our salvation.  We walk and are led by the Spirit in obedience and have set God at the center of how we live our lives. 

God is Hope - God is Spirit – God is Love  – God is Life – God is Peace – God is Joy

Start today – Don’t delay and change your life - Let the words of God speak to you and be filled with a peace and joy beyond measure.  

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