One common issue I see with so many is how easily people's emotions are tethered to world events. For example, we have many here in the United States that have determined the end of the world every four years when we have elections and their party failed to win its nomination. Now they lose all hope to even live their lives fully and it blows my mind. I think the main issue is we have so many who have their "treasures" here on earth and are not focused on the "treasures" of heaven. The saddest part is that most of the time it's happening with those who call themselves "Christians", and I have just one question, where is the true church?
Where is the Church who like in scripture didn't let what was going on in the world shake their Faith and affect their mission? Where is the Church whose eyes are set on Heaven and understands that this world will fade and we need to understand that our lives have Eternal ramifications? Why have we forgotten that our future lies in the one who is outside of time and space? We have a promise in Jesus of ETERNAL LIFE and we need to ensure that in our foundation of faith, an eternal mindset is integral to how we filter life.
We see in 1 Peter verse 2, a foundation is being laid about our identity in Christ. "God the Father knew you and chose you long ago and His Spirit has made you Holy", what a beautiful thought about us from the Father. Now in Christ, we understand that God the Father has known us and has been with us from the beginning and no matter what you have done or what you have been through you are also, "Chosen". You were picked and made Holy and have been made back into His likeness. This is a foundational truth that every believer should have we are known, chosen, and Holy.
*Don't let the enemy try and steal this truth from you!!
In Verse 4 we see that "we have a priceless inheritance", one that is kept in Heaven for us and that will remain "pure, undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay". As members of the Kingdom of Heaven, we are given so many promises in scripture and we must hold to these because some we can claim for today and there are more we will claim in the life to come. I understand we want all these promises now so we can enjoy them but even Proverbs 20:21 states, "An inheritance gained too soon (too early) in life is not a blessing in the end". How much better will it be to receive these promises with our Lord in the time to come when it will never fade away and we can enjoy for all eternity with Christ?
Peter in this chapter is setting us up to realize that the eternal promises/blessings are greater than any we can receive here on earth. In reality, these eternal promises are the greatest gifts to look forward to and we should live our lives looking forward to that day. Because in this life we are going through tribulation and testing and might not receive the fruit now for our work. In 1 Peter 1:6, he states, "Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead even though you must endure many trials for a little while." Peter's perspective is that our time on earth is a "little while" and then we will experience Joy to its fullest when we enter eternity. Even Jesus spoke on this when he stated in Mathew 6 to "not store up your treasures on earth.....but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven".
When we just focus on things in this world all we will get is Fear, Worry, Anxiety, Stress, Panic, and Terror. But when we focus on things with Heaven's perspective we get Wholeness, Inheritance, Promises, Endurance, Faith, Hope, Holiness, Love, Kindness, and Peace. So today I challenge you to look at your heart and see which parts of you have yet to shift to Heaven's perspective and then pray to God and give those parts of you to Him so that "...He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus", (Philippians 1:6).
Take a look at 1 Peter Chapter 1 and see what the Lord shows you and comment below
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