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Jesus: The Believer’s Inheritance

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  It is fascinating to observe when people talk about inheritance, ones mind would immediately cater properties, wills, houses, jewelries, and other material things. All of which are centered on material temporal things.   In 1 Peter 1:4 , although The Apostle Peter used the term “inheritance” once in his letter, Apostle Paul on the other hand, mentioned this term in his letters several times. ( Eph_1:14 , Eph_1:18 , Eph_5:5 , Col_3:24 ,) But what is so significant about this particular emphasis of Peter? After all, he made a brief description of the inheritance (verse 4-5) a believer will obtain now that he is part of God’s family.   The term “inheritance” is not something new among Jewish ears. Going back to the OT, when God divided the promised land among the 12 tribes of Israel, every tribe received a portion of the land as their inheritance, except for the tribe of Levi…”the priestly tribe”. They were the only tribe that didn’t get one. God’s reason for doing so is interesting. Th
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Kept by God

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  When the Apostle Peter described what kind of inheritance the believers will be obtaining in 1 Peter 1:4-5 , we cannot help but be amazed on the terminologies he used. These terms can never refer to temporal things. “.. imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,...who are protected by the power of God…”   But one very significant truth that he mentioned is the reality of that last phrase…”protected by the power of God”. It is a military term that refers to something being continuously guarded (literally garrisoned) so as to protect it from danger or hostile intent. And no one else is guarding it except the omnipotent God Himself.   But the further implication of such term is not just referring to the “inheritance” per se, but including those who will inherit it. It is not only the inheritance that will receive constant protection but also those whom God willed to obtain such amazing inheritance. The believers who are regarded as heirs ( Gal. 4:7 ; Ro
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Temporal Suffering and Eternal Inheritance

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  One overarching theme of the 1st chapter of the Apostle Peter’s 1st letter is his use of the terms “perishable” and “imperishable” in 4 different verses. The obvious implication conveys a contrast between the temporal and the eternal as we consider these two realities. Peter used this comparison in light of the on-going suffering due to the persecution of believers in the Northern regions of Asia Minor. He reminded them, not only of the unique relationship that they have with God, but that as followers of Christ, their eyes should no longer be set on temporal things (their present suffering). The eternal inheritance that is reserved for every genuine child of God ( 1 Peter 1:4 ) is not worthy to be compared to the temporal nature of the sufferings that a believer experiences in this present life. ( Romans 8:18 ) His use of analogy to further illustrate his point is also evident as he used earthly elements and objects like gold, silver, flower and grass which are subject to decay and
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Jesus' Call To "Follow Me" -Hebrews 12:1-3

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  John 21 paints for us a portrait of God's mercy and grace. Here we see Jesus, the resurrected, going to the sea where his disciples were fishing. He prepares breakfast and it is during this time that he restores Peter who had denied him. He asks him thrice if Peter loved him. Jesus said, "Feed my sheep." And when Peter asked about John, Jesus told Peter that it is not his business. Jesus told him, "You follow me." Jesus' call to "follow me" is the point of Hebrews 12:1-3 . It is a call to persevere, looking unto Jesus! 1. Learn from the lives of the great cloud of witnesses. They have lived by faith and they have set the example for us to follow. They engaged themselves in the work of godly living. Good works resulted from their genuine faith. 2. Run without encumbrances and sin. "Lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." See also 1 Cor. 9:27 . There is urgenc
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Final Exhortation - Notes on James 5:19-20

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  We have learned from our prior study that two essential parts of the believer's life is prayer and praise, whether in times of joy or times of sorrow. (Ponder on Romans 8!) As we focus on the last two verses of James' epistle, we find a final exhortation-- that is, for believers to bring back one who is among them, if he wanders from the truth. What is the "truth" referred to here? God's word as the truth? ( John 17:17 ) Jesus as the truth? (14:6) The Gospel as the truth? ( Eph 1:13 ). John 1:1 and 1:14 make clear that Christ is the living Word, he is the truth, and the reason we have the Gospel. To stray from the truth, then, is to be led away from Jesus, His word, from the Gospel that we are to proclaim and live out. Concerning the "one" who is led away, two trains of thought can be examined. Could James be referring to one who is a part of the assembly but is really not a genuine believer, as described in 1 John 2:18-19 ; or is James thinking of o
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"Pray in Faith" - Notes on James 5:16-18

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  We will focus first on James' statement that "the prayer of a righteous man avails much." The word "righteous" in the original means "approved of." As Scripture is clear that "none is rghteous " ( Rom. 3:10-11 ), it follows that it is the prayer of those who have been MADE righteous THROUGH Christ that is at point here. The prayer of the redeemed is that which is powerful and effective. Such prayer is possible because of Christ's finished work at the cross. Through Christ, believers can freely enter into God's throne. Whether one is new in the faith or has been a saint for decades, the privilege of calling God, "Abba," our Father, is the same. All believers have the same Mediator, the same Intercessor-- that is, Christ who died, was buried, and risen again! In Him we have forgiveness of sins; and, God's wrath is no longer upon us. He reconciles us to the Father, unto whom we make our prayer, our requests, our heart&#
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"Enter the Place Where Nothing is Impossible" - Notes on James 5:13-16

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  James addresses very specific needs in this passage: personal suffering, physical illness, and the need for forgiveness. Indeed, James' closing words simply reiterate the reality of trials in the believers' life, the same reality of which he spoke in the beginning of his letter.      Observe how James directs the brethren's thoughts to two vital needs in the life of a believer: to praise the Lord and to pray.      With respect to prayer, two ways are encouraged: personal and intercessory. First, pray directly unto God if you are suffering. Holocaust survivor, Corrie Ten Boom, gives insight as to the importance of personal prayer. As a Dutch believer who suffered severely in a Nazi concentration camp as a result of hiding Jews during WW2, she could personally testify as to the wonderful privilege of prayer, as it allows the believer to "leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God's realm where everything is possible....Nothing is too great for H
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