God Has Already Written the Final Chapter of My Life

In review of 1 Peter 1:3-4, I read  “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” (NLT).

In times of trouble, Peter's words offer joy and hope. He bases this confidence on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. I can live with the wonderful expectation of eternal life. My hope is not only for the future; but for now, as my eternal life began when I trusted Christ and joined God's family. God will help me remain true to my faith through whatever difficult times I will face. No matter what trials or persecution I may face, my soul cannot be harmed if I have accepted Christ's gift of salvation. I will receive the promised rewards.

So no matter what happens for the rest of my life, if I have a relationship with Jesus, God guarantees my future. I will never be able to lose my salvation.

The Bible says, “Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay” (1 Peter 1:3b-4 NLT).

An inheritance is what is given because they belong to a family. Usually it’s given at someone’s death. Peter gives me five declarations that describe my inheritance in heaven:

1). Its Reserved: A reservation is needed to get into heaven, and one can only make that reservation through Jesus. Once I put in my reservation, it can never be canceled.

2). Its Pure: This inheritance isn’t fake. It’s the real deal.

3). Its Undefiled: This inheritance can’t be corrupted. I can’t lose it—ever.

4). Its Beyond the reach of change and decay: This inheritance won’t wither, die, or lose its value.

5). It’s Priceless: The value of this inheritance can’t be measured.

So I can rest in and be comforted that God has already written the final chapter of my life. Because I’m a believer, I’ve got a reservation in heaven! And I cannot lose it. I can trust in it. I can believe in it. I can place my hope in it.

In summary, it is because of his great mercy, that I have been born again. I can now live with a great expectation of my future because I have a priceless inheritance that is guaranteed. Confidence in this is found on what God has done through Jesus. No matter what trials or persecution I may face, I cannot lose this inheritance. I can place my trust in it.

The Bible says I can only get to heaven by trusting in God through his Son, Jesus Christ. And we don’t have to earn God’s love or work our way into heaven. The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

This morning I renew my commitment, I pray Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day. I confess my sin, and I believe that you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say that salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today I’m turning over every part of my life to your management. You have the right to call the shots in my life. Jesus, I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In your name I pray. Father I pray for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership and my interactions. I pray all of this through your Son Jesus name, Amen.”