"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 - kept in heaven for you. " (I Peter 1:3-4)

I was holding my son the other day and wondering what inheritance I could leave him when I'm gone. What would I store up or save for him to have when he is older? I thought about setting aside money or land. I also thought about leaving him my collection of soccer jerseys and sweet electronics, although the electronics probably won't be sweet in 30 years.

Jesus talked often about the great love that God the Father has for us. When we accept salvation through faith in Christ we become sons and daughters of God the Father. In the book of Romans Paul says that we have the honor to call God 'Abba'. I'm not talking about the classic rock band, this Aramaic word literally means 'daddy'. As a believer in Christ you can call God daddy! How cool is that? There is a very personal and lovingly intimate side to God where he views us as his precious children.

Jesus also talked about how God, like an earthly father, longs to give good gifts to his children. Think of the best gift your earthly father ever gave you. God wants to give you greater things. He wants you to enjoy an inheritance that never perishes! All the things I could leave my son would some day perish, but the inheritance that God has for us will never fade. What is this inheritance that God is keeping for us?

The inheritance is glory! When we leave this world and are united with him for eternity we will share in the glory of all his creation. We will be allowed to see God and live free from all pain and sin. Our inheritance is an inheritance of life and eternal joy. This is the hope set before all of God's children. One day all this life of pain, suffering, struggle, and sin will be no more!

There are days when I long for this inheritance. It is easy to be focused on the here and now. It is easy to think that this is all there is. But, I know that God has a place prepared for me with a lasting inheritance of his love, hope, and glory!

As a child of God rejoice in the hope of the glory of your eternal inheritance!

- Josh