"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."                                                                                                                      - 1 Peter 1:3-5, NKJV

These verses of salutation from the Apostle Peter's first letter are like a theological treasure trove of God's promises! All the blessings go to God, first and foremost, because of His abundant mercy! That mercy has been displayed for us, because although all the powers of hell conspired to put Jesus to death for our sins and transgressions, HE DIDN'T STAY DEAD! That proves that our sins have been paid for, because they are dead and buried in the hell to which we had consigned ourselves, due to our disobedience. But praise be to God, Jesus carried them to that awful place and shed them like a bad suit of clothes.

Then He came bursting out of there, leading a train of former captives into the glorious liberty of life everlasting! Please excuse me if it sounds like I am preaching, again, but needless to say, it cannot be helped! Reading these words of joyous thanksgiving and praise from one who knew Jesus, personally (both before and after the resurrection) gives us the spiritual reminder we need! It shows us that when Jesus obediently rose from the dead (by the command of His Heavenly Father, as He said in John 10:18), that one act of obedience overturned all the sinful acts of disobedience that we had committed (Romans 5:18-19).

The Apostle Peter reminds us that our heavenly inheritance is perfect and complete. Furthermore, our inheritance is reserved in heaven for us, just as our salvation was procured for us. This explains why we as Baptists maintain that it is not our ability to remain pure and undefiled that keeps us safely ensconced in God's mighty hand; rather it is the power of God that keeps us saved, until that day we meet Jesus, face to face! As the Apostle Paul declared in 2 Timothy 1:12: "....for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." This is why I gladly concur with the Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 3:5, where he says: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God."

Let me put it this way: Our saving faith was procured for us by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. It is secured in us by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Finally, it is assured to us, by the promises of the Word of God! The next time the devil shouts his lies at you, trying to discourage, dissuade and dissipate your excitement for and faithful obedience to Christ, stop and listen. Calm down; be quiet and hear the still, small voice of truth, reminding you of who you are and Whose you are, in Christ Jesus!

Blessings & Peace, Brother Dan