Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1:3-4).

“Reserved for heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” (1 Peter 1:4-5 KJV). This perhaps will be one of the greatest cordials to a Christian in heaviness.

The fact that he is not kept by his own power, but is kept by the power of God, and that he is not left in his own keeping, but is kept by the Most High.

“My flesh and my heart faith: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever” (Psalm 73:26 KJV). “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

But take away that doctrine of the Savior’s keeping his people, and where is my hope? What is there in the gospel worth my preaching or worth your receiving? I know that he has said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28 KJV).

What, Lord, but suppose they shall grow faint—that they should begin to murmur in their affliction. Shall they not perish then? No. “They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Ah! This is the doctrine, the cheering assurance “wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations” (1 Peter 1:6 KJV).[1]

Charles Spurgeon

________________________________________________________________________________
End notes:

[1] Charles Spurgeon, At the Master’s Feet [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005], April 18.

See also:

ANTICIPATING CONFLICT

STUDY TO SHOW YOURSELF APPROVED

REFUTE FALSE DOCTRINE OR ADAPT IT?