The beginning of a new year brings about thoughts of resolutions and thankfulness. Yes, I understand that Thanksgiving happened awhile back. However, the new year causes me to think about all of the things that happened over the last year. Some of those things were difficult. But, some of those things that happened were wonderful, and I am thankful for those things.
A passage that I want to go over with you this brand new day of this brand new month and this brand new year is 1 Peter 1:3-7. And it says,
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (ESV)
In His great mercy, He has given us new birth. Once, we were dead, but now we have been born again into Life. This is the new beginning that we all need. And God, in His great mercy and goodness, has provided that for us. This passage begins with the focus on new beginnings. It is time for a fresh start in Jesus Christ. This reminder of God’s compassion and forgiveness is a powerful foundation for the year ahead. We can focus on gratitude and confidence in the future with King Jesus. And we can begin our year by praising God with a grateful, thankful heart for all that He has done and continues to do in and through us.
Notice that this “inheritance” of salvation and life is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.” When you accept Jesus as your Savior and King, you are automatically a citizen of His Kingdom which comes with an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you. No one can take it or mar it in any way. It cannot rust, break down, or fade. It will always be there for you. And when you enter the Kingdom fully, you will have your inheritance for eternity. By God’s power it is being guarded through faith.
This salvation that is being guarded by faith is ready to be revealed in the “last time.” That is when the fullness of time comes to an end and King Jesus destroys the Destroyer, the Adversary and all that goes with him. The last time is the last of time. No more will there be the tick, tick, tick of the clock counting down to death. All things will become new and the old things will be forgotten.
We can rejoice in knowing that this “little while” is just a small part of our full lives. The various trials that grieve us test the genuineness of our faith. It purifies our faith and shows that our faith is real. When we want to know if someone truly supports us and cares for us, we find out when we go through something really tough. The people that are our real support will be there, and the ones who say they support us but don’t will be the ones that fall away. This faith is “more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire.”
We are experiencing a plethora of feelings, which includes sadness, shame, guilt, hurt, and tragedy. However, all of these will be forgotten, and we will see King Jesus. This will cause us to erupt in praise at the glory and honor of His revelation to us fully.
As we begin this new year, remember that the clock is ticking down to its own demise and forward on to our glory. Praise be to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!!!
Gotta go fill up my cup…..
Coffee with Candee 