1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… I. THE INHERITANCE OF THE GOOD IS DISTINGUISHED BY EVERY SPECIES OF EXCELLENCE. 1. "Incorruptible." The principle of decay is not in it. The pyramid crumbles at the touch of time, and the long-during mountains shake under the footstep of ages; but eternal cycles roll over the plains of heaven without impairing the beauty or paling the brilliance of the "incorruptible" inheritance. 2. "Undefiled." Inherently and essentially pure. 3. "Fadeth not away." II. THE INHERITANCE OF THE GOOD IS IN SAFE KEEPING — "RESERVED IN HEAVEN." This "inheritance" could not be on earth. Its vitality would perish. Its purity would be sullied. Its brightness would be dimmed. It is necessary that it should be "reserved" or kept back for a season. You may have seen a parent reach down from an eminence some valuable article and show it to the child; the child has lifted his tiny hands to grasp the prize, but the parent has interposed, saying, "No, my son, this is for you when you are a man." Precisely so with us; wait until you are "made meet to be partakers of the inheritance with the saints in light." In what does this meetness consist? Undoubtedly in moral manhood. The soul is to "become of age" by growth in moral purity and moral power. 1. A recognition of God in everything. In battle, and storm, and plague, the clear eye of moral man looks up, knowing that Omnipotence guides that storm, and guards the child's "inheritance." 2. Power over every combination of circumstances. The man is perfectly calm in positions which alarm the child. The "heir" knows that even if circumstances should press so heavily upon him that his "earthly house of this tabernacle should be dissolved," he has "a building of God — a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:5). 3. An intelligent decisiveness of character. Is your conviction strong and intelligent? Is your purpose high and determined? Never was fixedness of moral view more essential to progress than in the present day. Every breeze seems laden with refined error and mystic heresy. Know well your doctrines; fix your eye earnestly on the beacon lights of immutable truth. III. THE INHERITANCE IS THE PORTION OF A SPECIAL CLASS. "Kept." 1. By the supreme love of their omnipotent Saviour (John 10:28, 29). The Lord Jesus not only redeemed His people, He is at this hour interceding for them; and His intercession keeps the saints. Peter was kept (Luke 22:31) by the Saviour's mediation. 2. By the ministry of angels. This reflection is illustrative not only of the goodness of the Lord, but also of the dignity of the saved. No guardian band keeps watch over the sun in his glorious palace, no eyes glitter upon the stars as upon an appointed charge; but spirits, pure and strong, hover around the humble child of God. They constitute the military guard of the minor heir, and when he attains his majority they cease to be his protectors only that they may become his companions. 3. By the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. IV. THE INHERITANCE OF THE GOOD CAN BE ENTERED UPON ONLY IN GOD'S OWN TIME. "Ready to be revealed in the last time." The Bible does not hold out heaven as an inducement to cease from earthwork, nor as a prize to be seized unconditionally. Is it your highest wish to enter heaven yourself, and leave your fellow creatures to do the best they can for themselves? Is there no moral work to be done before you enter on your promised rest? Is there no prodigal to reclaim, no aching heart to comfort? We must add labour to hope, and patience to faith. It is in this fashion that we prove the practical value of Christianity. Lessons: 1. Seek to be assured of your heirship. 2. Remember that you are under age. 3. Rise superior to your troubles. (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, |
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