Abounding!

I Peter 1:2b, Grace and peace be multiplied. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice…

Do you grasp the energy, exuberance, fullness and joy that this passage expresses?

So, what is the foundation of such an outpouring?

I Peter 1:2, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

God has done a most amazing and wonderful thing for me! He took note of me in a past eternity and opted to write me in His book both guaranteeing my salvation and also my glorification – WOW!

Furthermore, He, the Spirit, came knocking on the door of my heart and mind to reveal to me His work, will, and way and to call me to a clean and holy life (be sanctified).

And how is this possible before a Holy God who is angry at my rebellion, rejection, and rituals?

JESUS!  God the Father planned this and God the Spirit enlightened me and led me to Jesus who both showed me how to live pleasing to God and who paid the debt I owed God.  He called me to obedience and sprinkled on me the precious blood of Jesus (1:19, Exodus 24:4-8) making me His – He begot me! (1:3).

And the aftermath?  Verses 2b-6a.

There is NO room for small praise or little thanksgiving or occasional worship.  NO!  If I grasp what He has done and is doing, I am overwhelmed, moved, and bubbling with response.  And why don’t we?  We don’t grasp the great salvation that is ours nor the abounding blessings that come in the aftermath.  Consider the aftermath:

2b grace multiplied

2b peace multiplied

3 abundant mercy

3 living hope

4 incorruptible inheritance

4 undefiled inheritance

4 unfading inheritance

4 reserved in Heaven

5 kept by power of God

6 greatly rejoice

I don’t just live under an “Amazing Grace that saved a wretch like me,” (John Newton), but under an on-going flood of grace.  It is grace upon grace upon grace – John 1:16.

I don’t just carry-on rejoicing in a Peace found at my conversion, but in a peace being multiplied.  It is one thing to find release from the guilt, fear, anger and shame that marked my life before Jesus, but that peace persists and blesses over and over in my saved life.

And Mercy – it is not “drops around me falling”.  No, it is mercy in abundance – a flood of mercy!  Because I’m saved does not mean I’m sinless.  I do sin and yet God’s mercy over and over spares me my just due.  Hallelujah!!

And it is not just hope – but a vibrant, energizing, nourishing Hope.  Glory!

And my inheritance!  Time, Satan, sins, or others cannot affect it.  It is glorious now and will continue to be so.  What is on the books for me will be mine in its fullness in that day!  Yeah!

And in Heaven.  An inheritance that is mine where God is seated in all the glory imaginable and there, amidst all that glory, is my inheritance!  What a future!

And I am kept by God.  Reminds me of John 10:27-30 – Jesus holds me and God holds me and they are unified in their love for and commitment to me.  I am His no matter what!

And not just Joy, but great Joy.  Such should mark those who have been truly saved!  Great JOY!

If saved – we are continually, richly, and powerfully blessed.  Sing, Shout, and Selebrate!