1 Peter 1:1-9: a reflection

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen ones who are living as foreigners in the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, 5who by the power of God are guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials, 7that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ— 8whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory, 9receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Peter opens his letter to scattered, suffering Christians with a burst of praise and a double assurance. God, in his great mercy, he says, has given us a living hope through Christ's resurrection, and an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. And then the other half: you, by God's power, are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed.

Notice the two-sided security. On one side, your inheritance is kept, reserved, safe in heaven, beyond the reach of decay or theft or fading; it cannot be lost or spoiled. On the other side, you yourself are guarded, kept by God's own power, held safe until you reach it. Both ends are secured: the future is safe, and you are being kept safe to arrive at it. Nothing can steal your inheritance, and nothing can finally lose you.

That is meant to steady people going through hard trials, which Peter acknowledges honestly, grieved by various trials. He does not pretend the suffering is nothing; he says it is testing and refining your faith, which is more precious than gold. But he anchors the sufferer in this double keeping: your inheritance is safe, and you are kept for it. If you are in a hard season and afraid of losing everything, hear Peter's assurance. Your true inheritance is untouchable, held in heaven, and you are guarded by God's power to reach it. Both ends are in his hands.

Lord, thank you for the double security Peter names: my inheritance kept safe in heaven, imperishable and unfading, and myself guarded by your power to reach it. When trials make me afraid of losing everything, remind me that my true inheritance is untouchable and that you are keeping me for it. Both ends are in your hands; hold me there.