Imperishable, Undefiled, Unfading - Pt 1

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, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5 ESV).

Last year I received an orchid in appreciation of some work I had done with a couple. They really gave the gift to Mary, though I was to be the caretaker. In the past I haven’t had a very good track record with orchids. I could keep them alive; however, I could never get them to re-bloom. The one pictured here is that same gift I received on its second round of blooms. It is actually even showier than in this picture as all of the buds have bloomed fully. I have decided it certainly can be described as an “overachiever”! Over the next few devotionals I am going to take us through parts of Peter’s first epistle. Our first look is an examination of what it would be like to have endless riches stored up for you—a future reward that could never be taken away, but that could be enjoyed forever? If you are a Christian, that is an accurate description of the inheritance God has stored up for you. He has made it possible for us to “re-bloom” in a way that the apostle describes as “imperishable,” “undefiled,” and “unfading” (v. 4).  The Greek word translated “imperishable” (aphthartos) speaks of something that is not corruptible, but permanent. The word evokes the image of a land ravaged by a conquering army; so Peter was saying our eternal inheritance cannot be plundered or spoiled by our spiritual foes.  “Undefiled” (amiantos) means unpolluted or unstained by sin, evil, or decay. Unlike this world, in which nothing escapes the stain of sin (cf. Romans 8:20-23), our inheritance can never be contaminated, defiled, or in any way corrupted. It is unblemished and unstained by the presence or effects of sin (cf. Revelation 21:27).  “Unfading,” comes from a Greek term used of flowers. In the context of 1 Peter it suggests a supernatural beauty that time cannot diminish. Peter used the same word with reference to the unfading crown of glory that faithful elders will receive when the Chief Shepherd appears (v. 4). Those three terms—imperishable, undefiled, and unfading— picture a heavenly inheritance that is impervious to death, sin, and the effects of time. Considering the corrupting, damning influence of sin on the world, it is wonderful to know our inheritance in Christ is timeless and will never diminish. That is the life we have in Christ! And, no one, or no thing, can take that away from us once we have it!