Scripture Reading:
[May you be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. —Colossians 1:11–12
Fill in the blank:
In Christ, we have the
of an incredible
—the hope of an eternal
.
1 Peter 1:4-5; Ephesians 1:11–14; Romans 8:16–17
There is no
to what
has in store for us, and it cannot be
in any way.
Matthew 6:19–20; 2 Corinthians 4:17–18
God
keeps our inheritance
in his
.
Colossians 3:3–4; 2 Timothy 4:7–8
As we
God’s power, we are strengthened to
and
what he has promised.
Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:31–32
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. —1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
Questions for Further Reflection:
1. In what ways are you tempted to place your hope in things that fade, and how does the promise of your inheritance in Christ reshape that perspective?
2. How does knowing that God is personally keeping your inheritance in heaven give you confidence for today?
3. Are you trusting God’s power to sustain your faith, or are you trying to endure in your own strength?
4. How can your life reflect a hope so steady and secure that others are drawn to discover that same hope in Christ?
Referenced Scriptures:
Scripture quotations are from the ESV unless noted otherwise.
1 Peter 1:3–9
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Ephesians 1:11–14
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Romans 8:16–17
16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Matthew 6:19–20
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”“
2 Corinthians 4:17–18
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Colossians 3:3–4
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
2 Timothy 4:7–8
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:31–32
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?