1 Peter 1:3-5
3 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, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 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.
My father passed away in ’99. It was a pretty rough year.
Along with a few pictures of him, there are some things I consider my inheritance. My dad was not a wealthy man, so “inheritance” may be too strong a word. Really simply, they are things of his that bring me great memories and joy.
I have some of his rings. One is silver and has a rounded topaz stone on the face. The stone is slightly chipped on top. Where we lived in Mexico, folks didn’t have doorbells, often you would use something to bang on the perimeter gate of the home you were visiting. My dad used his big rings. I can still remember the sound it would make as he announced our arrival at friends’ homes.
I have 50+ paperback books, pages falling out, spoiled by time and overuse. The majority of these are Louie Lamour westerns. He loved westerns. When we would drive North to the border and on to Michigan where my grandma lived, we would take turns passing the novels around to read out loud. My dad took his turn reading as well, even while driving. (different times)
I have a tiny pocket Bible with text so small and faded that I can barely read it. Dated September 18, 1965 the inside cover says:
“To Kenny,
On your 22nd birthday.
May this Book draw you closer to the Lord every day.
Lovingly, Beth”
I received an invitation from my dad, to know Jesus and welcome him into my life as my savior. I am an inheritor of my father’s faith. The Lord has called me, and I am His. The example my dad gave me has been instrumental in bringing me to the foot of the cross. His life being drawn closer to God every day directly influenced my own faith.
My dad may be gone, but I hold to the beautiful hope in Jesus Christ, that one day we will be together in eternity. In Christ, we look forward to an inheritance that is priceless; eternal life in the eternal city of God. God has reserved the inheritance. It will never spoil. It will never fade. It will be unstained by sin and death. If you have trusted in Christ as your savior, you have this same inheritance. I hope and pray that one day my own kids may share in this wonderful inheritance.
May the Lord deepen your faith. May the Lord assure you of your place in eternity with Him. May you look with hope to the inheritance that will never fade, spoil or decay. May you have living hope in Jesus.
