What's Good

1 Peter 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
 
WHAT happens when someone asks you, “What’s good today?” I think most of us look at the immediate moment. Or we mentally scan our general circumstances looking for something we can truly call, “Good.” for our lives. If you need some help answering, “What’s good?” Peter gives you some “good” answers.
   Remember, the apostle is writing to a persecuted, scattered church. Amid the hard challenges Peter speaks five good things.
   What’s good? You can praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The essence of this praise is to know that Jesus has come from God. He is eternal, living in heaven with the Father. Peter praises God because the church worships the living Lord Messiah. They do not worship dead idols.
   What’s good? In his great mercy (God) has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Eternal life is a living hope because we know Jesus sits in power at the right hand of God. God’s goodness is his merciful gift of new birth into his Kingdom. We hope – trust, believe, know – in our salvation because eternal life has begun with faith in Jesus Christ, risen and ascended. You do not hope in material things that disappear. You hope in the living God, who has sacrificed his Son to die, so you will live.
   What is good? You have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you. What do you do with a valuable possession you might have inherited from a loved one? Likely you protect it from fire, flood, wind, theft and decay. Still, material treasures can disappear in a moment’s trouble. But your inheritance of eternal life is secure in heaven! No power can touch it. This is God’s gift to you. He will not remove it, and you cannot lose it.
   What is good? The persecuted church was under great distress from many sources. Satan’s demonic forces urged hateful men to attack God’s people in multiple ways. But the church’s faith are shielded by God’s power. Hell cannot prevail against God’s church. God is protecting Christians’ hearts and minds, so their faith will be secure.
   What’s good? Jesus is coming to redeem the world. We await our sure future with Jesus in confidence and joy until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
          Be encouraged and think about such things as you walk through each day. When someone asks, “What’s good?” see that as an open door to share the Good News that Jesus saves.