Note: This site will be following along with a group study of the book 1 Peter in the Bible. I invite you to read 1 Peter and follow along with us here as we dig into the beauty of God’s Word.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! (v. 3) Peter starts in the place Jesus taught him, with praising and glorifying the Father, assigning God his rightful place above us all. He is our Father in heaven, hallowed in name (Mt. 6:9). When we bless him, we assign him our highest honor, declare him holy, and give him our praise and worship. This is where we start, before anything else, remembering who we exalt.
Peter follows by recalling what God has done for us. But what God has done for us is inextricably linked to who he is. God is great in mercy (v. 3), choosing to not give us what we deserve. What do we deserve? “All have sinned,” (Rom. 3:23) and “the wages of sin are death” (Rom. 6:23). If God chose to give us what is rightfully ours, we would all face condemnation for our sin and not just physical, but also spiritual death.
Yet because of his mercy, God chose not to leave us for dead. Instead he rescues us to new life (v. 3). Our God is the God of life – of second birth, of living hope, of resurrection. He gave man life, breathing his own breath into Adam and handcrafting Eve. He spoke all life on earth into existence. He came in human form that we might have life abundantly. We were made for life – abundant, rich, joyful, fulfilling life. And although we chose death, God chases us down to offer us life. Yes, this is his great mercy.
And this is grace. Not only does he rescue us from what we do deserve, he gives us what we don’t deserve – life, hope, resurrection (v. 3), and even more. He has stored up for us an inheritance, a spiritual inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, unfading (v. 4). It does not spoil nor decay over the passage of time. It is never tarnished nor flawed, but remains pure and perfect. It never loses its value or goodness, as it is without change. Nothing in our world is imperishable, undefiled or unfading, except what is of God.
We are guaranteed that this inheritance is safe, kept in heaven for us. It is ours, sealed for us until the time we receive it. God uses his own power to guard me until I receive that inheritance (v. 5), guarding me for it and it for me. Who else could safeguard such a treasure? Who else is trustworthy to shield our eternal inheritance? His constant watch and powerful guard over us preserves and sustains us until we receive the prize.
This incomparable inheritance speaks to the heart of who God is. The measure of his mercy and grace for us is inestimable, the depths of his love for us unreachable. He gives generously to us all things, even himself. He is our irresistible God.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ indeed!
Father, you draw us to yourself by the very nature of who you are. In knowing you, we are drawn to love you. You are most generous with your blessings, most generous with yourself. You invite us in with your grace, mercy and love. May we find the delight of our souls rests in you and you alone. Amen.
