“to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”
God gives generously from his grace in time. That, however, is nothing in comparison with eternity. There, his generous giving will never stop. We will receive from his unlimited resources at that time.
to an inheritance
Peter describes our inheritance of heaven as the future yet secure. Heirs to present estates have no assurance that they will receive their inheritance. They may die before they fall heir to their possessions. It is a different story for Christians.
Christ falls heir to all things (Hebrews 1:2). God has one Son. He is heir to God’s possessions. We are born into the family of God through Jesus Christ. God bases our heirship on sonship (Romans 8:16, 17). God wants us to have an appreciation in time for the provisions he gives us. He wants us to appreciate in time what will become his unlimited resources in eternity. This orients us to eternal values.
Heirship demands that we enjoy eternal life (Titus 3:7). If we fall heirs to the resources of the eternal God, we must have eternal life to enjoy it. God bases our heirship on election as well as sonship (Hebrews 9:15). In eternity we will have an unlimited charge account for the elect. As heirs, we share the destiny of Christ (Ephesians 1:11).
God has already given us the down payment on our inheritance (Ephesians 1:14). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the earnest of our salvation.
The Word of Grace gives us an inheritance among those whom God sets apart. Acts 20: 32, “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
We receive an inheritance at the point of salvation. Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”
PRINCIPLE:
Our inheritance is our title to future eternal fellowship with God.
APPLICATION:
An inheritance is what gives title to spiritual possessions. It is that which we receive by virtue of birth – spiritual birth. It is the acquisition of property by succession. We pass earthly inheritances from family to family through birth. Spiritual inheritance is the same process. God places us into his family when we put our trust in the death of Christ to forgive our sins. A member of the family of God inherits heaven.
Have you placed your personal trust in the death of Christ for your sins? Why not enter into the family of God now?
When i observe different commentaries all is good but grant richison teaching is one that can help in my personal preparation of expository sermon, others wiersbe, spurgeon, matthew henry and other more. Our training in the philippines we are motivated to do exposition sermon format with Principle: and Application. And I saw the format of Grant Richison it gives me more idea in preparing sermon. To God be the Glory
Pastor Arnel, thank you for your comments. You hit square on one of the main purposes of Verse-by-Verse Commentary. My main ministry is speaking to pastors in many places of the world and it is my hope that pastors will adopt the verse-by-verse exposition style. I am encouraged that you do Bible exposition in your ministry.