ASSURANCE OF OUR FUTURE
“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, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you…”
—1 Peter 1:3-4
As we live from day to day, Scripture encourages believers with the assurance of our future, “an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). Because of such hope, we are to “be holy in all our conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). Peter makes it clear that we who trust in Christ now hold the privileged position once held by the people of God in the Old Covenant when he wrote, “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people” (1 Peter 2:9). Our privileged position as the redeemed of Christ ought to motivate us unto godly living and cause us to “maintain good conduct” (1 Peter 2:12). Peter tells us that good conduct is manifest when we respect the government, when servants faithfully obey their masters, and when husbands and wives treat one another well “since you are joint heirs of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7).
Our prayer ought to be that the Holy Spirit continually works within us so that we might faithfully live as those who are the redeemed of Jesus Christ. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14). This is not legalism, which is defined as trying to earn salvation by our works of the law, but rather thankful, God-fearing, reverential living for such a wondrous and gracious salvation granted to us in Jesus Christ. “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).
Yes, truly, we are saved by God’s grace alone through God given faith alone in the perfect work of Jesus Christ alone. However, true faith always motivates believers to live unto good works for God’s glory and the good of His church (Ephesians 2:8-10). We are saved by grace to love and serve the true and living God, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. As the Apostle Paul wrote to Titus, “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful” (Titus 3:14). This is the teaching of God’s Holy Word. May the Holy Spirit be pleased to continue molding and shaping every believer into the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for His honor, glory, and praise!
Tuesday Encouragement: August 11, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
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A CHRISTIAN'S SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER
My Father and my God,
Thank You, Father, for saving me from sin, Satan, death, Hell, and Your coming wrath!
Thank You for sending Jesus to redeem a multitude of sinners of which I am included.
Thank You, Jesus, for living and dying in my place so that I am granted everlasting life!
Thank You for fulfilling all the righteous demands of the Law of God in my place!
Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross to satisfy the justice of God against my sins!
Thank You for turning away God's wrath from me by absorbing it all in your body and soul!
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for regenerating my soul, creating faith in my heart, and uniting me to Jesus Christ.
Thank You for illuminating Scripture to my mind and filling my heart with the love of God.
Thank You for dwelling within me and guiding me in this dark world by the light of Your Word.
Thank You, Father, for Your mercy and forgiveness!
Thank You that when I confess my sins You are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness!
Thank You for Your kindness, mercy, grace, love, and compassion to such a sinful, weak, feeble, frail, fragile one such as I!
Father, I love You! You have implanted Your love in my heart!
But my love for You and for others is not what it ought to be!
I realize and confess this!
I know that I have not loved You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength!
Nor have I loved my neighbor as myself!
I fail daily to love You with my whole heart!
I fail miserably!
I have sinful thoughts, words, and actions, and even my best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin!
But praise Jesus that He never failed to love You with His whole heart, soul, mind, and strength on behalf of all His people.
Praise Jesus that He perfectly loved His neighbor as Himself in my place and on my behalf!
What Amazing grace of Jesus that saved a wretch like me!
For I once was lost but now I'm found, I was blind but now I see!
Father, I need Your constant forgiveness as I have not reflected Your glory as I ought!
I need Your continual abiding presence and Your face shining upon me lest I slip into anxiety, despair, discouragement, or depression!
As David once prayed, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me" (Psalm 51:2-3).
I need You, O my God, every moment of every day!
Fill me, Holy Spirit, with Your presence and power so that I might serve You daily.
Uphold me, Lord Jesus, lest I sin against You, lest I run back to the muck and mire of this world.
Keep me on the straight and narrow path that leads to life.
Keep me in the sheepfold; don't let me wander away from Your green pastures and still waters!
Revive me again, O Lord, to serve You with zeal and vigor all the days of my life!
Use me up, Lord Jesus, for Your glory and Your kingdom for I am Yours to do with as You please!
Here am I, send me!
I ask all these things in Jesus' name and authority!
Amen!
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