A Hope Inherited
“According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded though faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)
Before I could even walk, my parents were preparing my earthly inheritance. By no means were they doomsday preppers, nor were they focused on amassing a fortune for me to one day take over; rather they had organized all necessary plans to ensure my siblings and I would have food and shelter in the event of their untimely death. They were prayerfully mindful that their future days were no guarantee. They desired to leave an inheritance that could provide some sort of earthly stability and security in the wake of their passing.
As well-intentioned and prepared my parents were, the inheritance they arranged does not qualify as imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It would have been helpful, sure, but would not have provided the ultimate security our souls need to navigate our way heavenward. Society is in a perpetual race against time -- a race to capture all things imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. We collectively engineer solutions-- from skin care routines to financial investments-- to attain a prize destined to perish and fade. Earthly inheritances are not wicked; but when we place our hope in these lifeless solutions, we are cheated of the inheritance that promises all our soul longs for.
Sin stains our very best efforts to appear holy and worthy before the throne of God; the capacity to earn righteousness is not within our power. This is the very reason God sent His son to intercede on our behalf. Upon Christ’s resurrection from the grave and ascension into heaven, He left mankind the Holy Spirit-- we now have a living hope within us. Paul writes the following: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:16-17). When we are resurrected into a living hope, we become heirs with Christ. The joy is this: the inheritance promised is God Himself, and since He has already given Himself to us, our inheritance starts today.
By Bethany Taylor
Before I could even walk, my parents were preparing my earthly inheritance. By no means were they doomsday preppers, nor were they focused on amassing a fortune for me to one day take over; rather they had organized all necessary plans to ensure my siblings and I would have food and shelter in the event of their untimely death. They were prayerfully mindful that their future days were no guarantee. They desired to leave an inheritance that could provide some sort of earthly stability and security in the wake of their passing.
As well-intentioned and prepared my parents were, the inheritance they arranged does not qualify as imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It would have been helpful, sure, but would not have provided the ultimate security our souls need to navigate our way heavenward. Society is in a perpetual race against time -- a race to capture all things imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. We collectively engineer solutions-- from skin care routines to financial investments-- to attain a prize destined to perish and fade. Earthly inheritances are not wicked; but when we place our hope in these lifeless solutions, we are cheated of the inheritance that promises all our soul longs for.
Sin stains our very best efforts to appear holy and worthy before the throne of God; the capacity to earn righteousness is not within our power. This is the very reason God sent His son to intercede on our behalf. Upon Christ’s resurrection from the grave and ascension into heaven, He left mankind the Holy Spirit-- we now have a living hope within us. Paul writes the following: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:16-17). When we are resurrected into a living hope, we become heirs with Christ. The joy is this: the inheritance promised is God Himself, and since He has already given Himself to us, our inheritance starts today.
By Bethany Taylor
Recent
Archive
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract