But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.
Psalm 103:17-18 (NAS)
Did you know that as a child of God, your inheritance in His kingdom is secure? As this verse says, “the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him.”
For those who have entrusted their lives with Jesus and sharpened their focus on living for Him, questions of eternity have already been answered. While the world flounders in spiritual uncertainty, the Bible says you no longer have to. Living for Jesus means one no longer has to wonder, “Am I going to heaven,” or “Will I ever attain peace, hope, and love?” Right now, wherever you are, at work, at home or at school, those elements, through the Holy Spirit living through you, are at your grasp. In fact, the entire gamut of Christ-centered traits found in Galatians 5:22 are freely available and should be displayed through you as you walk with Christ.
As Galatians 5:24 says:
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (NIV)
Thus, not only is your eternal destiny secure, but as a believer, you have been infused with a set of Christ-like qualities that provide a benchmark to knowing that you truly belong. For, not only does the fruit of the Spirit displayed in you show the world that you are a child of God, but those nine traits provide more fulfillment and happiness than anything the world claims will bring peace and contentment.
We know, however, that despite the presence of the qualities, this life is far from being a cakewalk. Trials, temptations, sickness and heartache are natural parts of our human existence. For non-believers, that’s where it stops. But for Christians, the hope we find in Christ transcends our own carnality.
Early Christians, as well as anyone, understood this truth and gave us remarkable examples of how to steadfastly keep our eyes on Jesus in the midst of, and in spite of, persecution, trials, and personal tragedy. Peter, speaking on this kind of hope in Christ, tells us this in 1 Peter 1:3-5.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5 (NAS)
“In the Bible, hope is not wishful thinking,” according to a scriptural note in the NIV Study Bible, “but a firm conviction, much like faith, that is directed toward the future.”
application
Whereever you are today, there are your office desk or reading at home, take a minute of silence with God and be encouraged that your eternal security is firmly in his hands. Thank Him today for his gift of grace and salvation and for the hope in Christ to endure in the face of trials, throwing off our earthly passions and desires, deeply fixated on his peace, hope, and love.