Peter
started out assuring believers that the people of God are the chosen heirs of
divine salvation. Here he also reveals elements that would mark believers out
as God’s very own people. So in verse 3, he began by praising the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for His mercy in working in the lives of those
believers. In His workings He gave them a living hope, one they could be assured
since they had been born again. In this experience they also had a change in
status and prospect. Peter told them that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
this hope has been made certain. And because the Resurrected Christ is alive,
the hope believers have in Him is a living hope.
In the Old Testament, the people of God were
promised a land as their inheritance. Using that concept, Peter wanted the
believers to know that they were saved to receive an inheritance. In the case
of believers of Christ, the inheritance they are promised is imperishable,
undefiled and will not fade away. He wanted to underscore the fact that this
inheritance cannot be destroyed.
The three descriptive phrases Peter used are allusions
taken from the Old Testament. Palestine was sandwiched between Mesopotamia and
Egypt and would often be subjected to invasions and political maneuvers.
Peter’s point is that the inheritance promised to the people of old was subject
to destruction. However, in contrast, the inheritance of the believers will
never be destroyed. It is reserved in Heaven for all believers who are saved
and kept by God’s power. In talking about the “salvation ready to be revealed
in the last time”, Peter was referring to the glorification, the ultimate phase
of salvation.
In the light of the great inheritance awaiting believers,
Peter in verses 6-9 called on them to greatly rejoice in their trials. He told
them that the duration of their trials would only be “for a little while”,
meaning that they were only temporary and brief. Peter was comparing it with
the permanent, eternal inheritance that they would be receiving ultimately.
For believers, trials are God’s instrument to
perfect them. Believers should respond to their trials appropriately knowing
that God uses each trial to make believers abandon themselves to Him in total
trust. And just like fire that purifies gold, trials will purify the believers’
faith to show its genuineness. However, we need to remember that purified gold
will perish but proven faith will not. It will remain to bring praise, glory
and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
When Peter spoke of the revelation, he had the second
coming of Christ in view. He saw it as a future event. In verse 8, Peter told
the believers that even though they would definitely experience joy when Christ
appears to be seen, they could also have joy now when they do not see Him. Why,
because of their faith (verse 7) and love (verse 8). In fact, this love for Him
and faith in Him had made them rejoiced greatly with joy, that was not only
inexpressible but also glorious. Their proven and genuine faith ultimately
assured them of their salvation.
We
need to be reminded of the inheritance we are going to receive. It is so
extraordinary that no words can ever adequately describe it. Meanwhile let’s just
allow the joy of our salvation to rise in our heart in the face of trials. For this
certainly brings the positive outcome for our faith, and ensure our ultimate
victory!
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