Salvation Into Inheritance

I like receiving and giving gifts. More than being on the receiving end, there is a special joy in the act of giving. Once I have selected and wrapped the gift, my anticipation for the moment of giving only grows. Some individuals prefer methodically unwrapping their presents, taking their time to savour the experience, while others eagerly tear away the wrapping paper to discover what is inside the wrapping. Personally, I am drawn to those who swiftly discard the paper, eager to unveil the surprise as soon as possible. Witnessing the person’s expression as the gift is finally revealed. That is the joy of giving for me. Experiencing their joy and delight is the most exciting feeling for me. Furthermore, when I see the gift being used and appreciated, it fills me with a sense of happiness and contentment.

On the contrary, if I present a gift to someone, and they show no excitement upon receiving it, and once they have removed the wrapping and show no joy with the gift, it me feel unhappy. Additionally, when they never utilize the gift and completely disregard it, it evokes a sense of sadness within me.

Imagine being presented with the opportunity to own your dream supercar, perhaps it's a Ferrari boasting top-notch features and free maintenance, with a lifetime supply of fuel. Now, consider the wisdom behind hanging the keys to this expensive vehicle on a stylish key rack, all the while constantly talking about the marvel of possessing such a magnificent car, yet never actually driving it.

2 Peter 1:1-4 1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle (a special messenger) of Jesus Christ, to those who have received (obtained an equal privilege of) like precious faith with ourselves in and through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 May grace (God’s favour) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)

We have received precious faith, grace, and peace multiplied and God’s divine power has given us all things needed for life and godliness. His precious and exceeding great promises; that through these we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Ephesians 3:16-19 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Salvation for many Christians is only about “When I die, I go to heaven” Yes, “If I believe in Jesus, I will not perish but have everlasting life” That is the end of the road for many, once saved there is security in the future. As vital as eternal security is for many and yes believing in Jesus dying for me is important. It is only the starting point in understanding the gospel. The good news is so much more.

The believer is justified before God by faith in Christ—made just as though we have never sinned is vital. However, when it comes to a believer, justification by faith is not the end of all we believe.

Imagine when a young child spends hours playing in the mud, becoming utterly dirty. Once you bathe the child, they experience a newfound sense of cleanliness. They feel so fresh and pure that they simply want to sit by the bathtub and relish in their cleanliness. However, you have prepared clean clothes for the child as you are planning to visit friends. There is a profound significance to this situation that goes beyond the act of bathing itself.