During Lent, we get a picture in our mind of Peter that is not very complimentary. He bragged that He would never desert Jesus, but then denies even knowing Him. He is not exactly an example of humility and steadfastness. But in light of Easter, we see a new Peter. The one who preached on Pentecost is a changed man, a man living a new way because of what Jesus had done for him. It was this new man that God used to set down the words of the letter that will be read in worship services around the world in the coming weeks.

1 Peter 1:3-9 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade– kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith– of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire– may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The new birth Peter writes about is when the Spirit brings you to faith in Jesus as your Savior. This gives you a living hope that is connected to the resurrection of Jesus. You live in the confidence that Jesus rose from the dead. You live in the confidence that Jesus is alive. You live in the confidence that because He lives, you will live also. That is your new life, your living hope.

This new birth also entitles you to an inheritance. You have been born into God’s family. Through faith in Jesus and His resurrection, you have become an heir of salvation. You have been saved from sin and death and you now have the certainty of heaven. That is why this inheritance can never perish, spoil or fade: it is not of this world. It is already yours through faith, but it is being kept and safeguarded for you until you reach heaven.

So how do you live, knowing what your inheritance is, yet waiting for it? Peter says your inheritance enables you to greatly rejoice in spite of grief. And the lives of believers will have plenty of grief this side of heaven. I don’t have to list any examples, because each of you already has your own list. Knowing that Jesus is alive changes the way you grieve.

You also greatly rejoice as your faith is refined and proved genuine. This is a reference to the maturing process that takes place in all of us. Faith does not stay the same. It grows, it matures, it is refined and purified and strengthened by trials you encounter living in this world of sin. Some of those trials come because you are a believer. You become stronger because of what you endure.

The inheritance you have from God is not earned by you. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus said that you “inherit the kingdom prepared for you,” not earn it. The inheritance is yours because of Jesus.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!”