DEVOTION, January 7, 2021

ther of our Lord Jesus Christ! God has given us a new birth because of his great mercy. We have been born into a new life that has a confidence which is alive because Jesus Christ has come back to life. ⁴ We have been born into a new life which has an inheritance that can’t be destroyed or corrupted and can’t fade away. That inheritance is kept in heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3, God’s Word Translation).

Peter’s heart is overflowing with praise as he reflects on the Gospel of Jesus. We receive a new birth when we place our faith in Jesus. That new birth comes to us from a merciful God. We don’t deserve it; we can’t earn it; we can only receive it as a gift from a merciful God. Peter then adds that this new birth leads to a new life. The resurrected Christ dwells in our hearts and leads us to live a new kind of life.

He then adds that we have an inheritance. Again, we don’t earn an inheritance. We receive it from one who loves us. An earthly inheritance is nice. The inheritance I received from my parents is long gone (they were not wealthy!). The inheritance we receive from Jesus can never be lost or destroyed. It will never fade away. It is waiting for us in heaven.

Thank You, Father, for the new birth we receive when we trust in Jesus. Thank You for the marvelous inheritance that awaits us in heaven. We are overwhelmed by Your love and mercy. In Jesus name, Amen,