Encouragements for our troubled times No. 43
COVID-19 Series | Date: 14 January 2021
The Elders and Deacons want to encourage the members and those who regularly meet with us through this weekly letter. If you have news which you would be happy to share with the fellowship or request for prayer, then please let us know.
A message from our Pastor
1 Peter 1:4
“To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you. "
I’m sure that we are all tired of lockdowns and longing for the day that it all comes to an end. We are all tired of looking at the same brick wall and not being able to get out and about. It’s at such times it's good for us to reflect on the fact that we have something far better awaiting us in the glories of Heaven. This is what the Apostle Peter is pointing the saints of the dispersion to. They may be hard-pressed here and things may be very difficult for them at present but they can be of good cheer because they have something far better awaiting them in Heaven.
We have an inheritance awaiting us. It is our heritage as the children of God. It has been put aside for us. Allotted to us and our name has been put on it. It is ours and cannot be given to another. And the Holy Spirit, that dwells in each of us, is the guarantee of that inheritance; He keeps us for it. We may have precious little in this life and not much to look forward to here on earth but, what an encouragement it is to know that we have an inheritance awaiting us.
And what an inheritance it is. It is incorruptible. It cannot be corrected by sin. When sin entered this world, it turned what had been created perfect, into a fallen, corrupted thing. Now the world is ageing, running down, its resources are running out and there is death and decay all around. But our inheritance is incorruptible. It is impervious to sin. It is, and always will be, perfect. Nothing can enter in to corrupt it. It will never age or run down or become tired or run out of recourses. There will be no death or decay there. Nothing to spoil the beauty or richness or glory of our wonderful home. Everything will be perfect.
It is undefiled. It is a place of purity and holiness. And no impure or unholy thing can dwell there. Everything is free from sins alloy. Nothing that can tarnish or spoil the purity and holiness of Heaven. There can be no sinful thoughts and desires; nothing that can cause distress. No pain, no sorrow, no guilt, no shame. Nothing to disappoint or cause unhappiness. No loss, no envy, no pride, no violence, but love and peace and contentment. It’s undefiled, and can never be defiled.
It does not fade away. It is eternal and will last forever. It is where we will live with our Heavenly Father forevermore. It will never fade away. Nor will its beauty, glory or richness fade in one iota. It will be as wonderful in a million years’ time as it is today. Even the most beautiful and durable things of this world rust and tarnish and there is nothing and no one who is pure and holy. Everything there is pure and holy and will be pure and holy for all eternity.
And it is reserved in Heaven for us. As our Lord told us “I go to prepare a place for you.” A place in His Father’s house of many mansions. We have a place reserved for us there. Our name is on the door and it is being kept for us.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:1-4).