Remember the Gospel

Dear friends,

I do not know the world you will live in, but I know the Lord said, “In this world, you will have trouble,” so I want to give you some advice on how to continue to honor Christ when that trouble comes. There are so many things I’d like to be able to share with you, so many precious truths that can comfort your soul and transform the way you live. But if I only have the opportunity to tell you one thing, let’s make it this: No matter what happens, when life is easy, and especially when life is hard, remember the gospel!

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. This inheritance is 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. ^a

First, remember who we are. We are not what we used to be; we have been born again. And this time, we are born as children of the King. Through Christ, we have a promise that we are not servants or even friends but sons and daughters, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. The son of a president gains nothing but fame and a security detail. The son of a rich man may have money but no power. The sons of a king have authority. We will reign with him at the renewal of all things. Fame fades and money can be stolen, but we have a promise from the One whose word will always be fulfilled.

Until that day, we are shielded by God’s power. Though trials may come, we know that they can never defeat us. We have been given by the Father to his Son, and no one can snatch us out of his hand (John 10:28-29). God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear; he will always provide a way out so that we can endure it (1Cor 10:13).

Finally that day will come, and we will stand before the Lord’s judgment. And be declared not guilty because our sins were paid for by Christ, and we received his righteousness (2Cor 5:21).

Then we will receive an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade. Our lives are fleeting. The things of this earth fall victim to moth, rust, and theft, but the gift of God can never be lost or diminished. When you are the heir of God, you will be forever rich. This inheritance cannot be squandered or lost. As the children of God, we will live in everlasting glory. In the light of this inheritance, the things of earth seem sickly and pale. We are indescribably rich; we only wait to receive it when Christ comes.

If we know all these things, what can we not endure? Whether we are captains of men or servants of men, whether we face monotony or danger, even if we experience poverty, famine, or persecution, we know that the day will come when all will be made right through Christ Jesus. We have the word of He Who Cannot Lie.

So, as our brother Paul has said, “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 8:38-39).

Whatever you may be at risk of losing, you have something far more valuable you cannot lose. So stand strong in the hope we have in him.

Love in Christ,
Your brother in Babylon

a 1Peter 1:3-5

Image: Abraham’s inheritance, via Unsplash