1 Peter 1:4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,
The hope we have, resulting from Jesus’ resurrection, provides us an eternal inheritance. This verse is a powerful motivation for us. Peter starts off his letter pointing to the greatest hope we have. Hope is what motivates us to live pleasing to God in this life. Hope helps us overcome discouragement and the challenges of living in an imperfect world. What distinguishes believers from the rest of the world is the hope that we have. Hope is one of key ideas of this letter. Peter mentions it five times (1:4, 13, 21; 3:5, 15).
What this inheritance is, is not stated specifically in this verse but will be described in the following verses. At this point, Peter gives some general descriptions of it. It can never perish, spoil, or fade. These are what happen to earthly things that we inherit. Peter will write that even gold perishes (v. 7). The clear and implied contrasts are significant and highlight the hope we have because of Jesus Christ.
This inheritance is related to heaven. The implication is that it is eternal life. It is kept there because it has been promised to us. God’s promises are sure and we can count on them. God’s promise in Christ is “yes” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
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