1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:1-4 (NASB)
33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NASB)
While all forms of relativistic Christianity attempt to refocus Christians to this present age, we are clearly taught throughout the New Testament that what awaits us after we leave this life is that for which we should really be preparing….
In the world, we will have tribulation, which translates the Greek noun θλιψιν (thlipsis). Θλιψιν symbolically means grievous affliction or distress that applies pressure or burden upon the spirit. Θλιψιν is used to give the picture of one being crushed. At the same time we are given these warnings about our life here as resident aliens, we are also given encouragement beyond measure.
3 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, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 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 (NASB)
Peter rejoices and invites us to join him in worshiping the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Why? Here is my translation of v3b, “who according to His great mercy having regenerated us into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…” No matter how you say it, all of us truly in Christ are blessed beyond measure with this hope we have in Christ, which was made ours according to the mercy of God. Our Lord’s resurrection means that our redemption through His death on the Cross was sufficient to atone for our sins. He, being the first born of this resurrection, has given us this same inheritance, which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. It awaits us in Heaven. The name of this blog is “Possessing the Treasure” and I gave it this name referring to this very thing. God is guarding our inheritance and no one can separate us from Him and His promises to us. What a blessing!