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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “Faith more precious than gold. The phrase “faith more precious than gold” means that faith in God is more valuable than any material wealth because faith is imperishable, connects us to God, and is refined through trials to produce greater purity and strength. Unlike gold, which is a temporary earthly possession, faith is an enduring, eternal quality that brings a more valuable, fulfilling life and leads to praise, glory, and honour.  We shall reflect on the fact that we become heirs of the incorruptible and undefiled inheritance of salvation as a result of our faith; hence, faith is more precious than gold.

Beloved in the Lord, Peter wrote this letter to encourage believers who were going through persecution and suffering as a result of their faith in the Lord. Peter greatly encouraged the faithful believers, “…This inheritance is 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. 6 In all this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:4-7) Beloved in the Lord, our current tribulation and suffering on account of our faith in the Lord cannot be compared with the eternal joy of salvation that awaits us. It is important to always live a salvation-conscious life, bearing in mind that this world is ephemeral or temporary. Paul’s life and ministry were greatly shaped and motivated by his faith and hope in the incorruptible and undefiled inheritance. It is for this reason that when he was about to be executed in Rome, he wrote to encourage young Timothy, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Again, we see Paul focused on the incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that awaits him when he wrote to the Philippians, ” …Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) Dear friend, like Paul, what kind of inheritance are we fighting for, running for or pressing on for? Is our faith in the Lord limited only to our physical or existential needs, or is our faith in the Lord more focused on the incorruptible and undefiled everlasting inheritance or salvation?

Jesus admonishes us to focus on the incorruptible and undefiled inheritance when He said, “Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:33-34). Let us remember that all the gold and earthly inheritance is corruptible and fleeting, but our salvation in the Lord is everlasting and pure. It is for this reason Jesus instructs us, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33). In other words, let us seek the incorruptible and undefiled inheritance, then corruptible ones shall be given to us for our temporary enjoyment on earth, even as we await His final appearance. It is important to reemphasise the fact that it is only faith in Christ Jesus that can usher us into the incorruptible and undefiled inheritance of salvation. It is for this reason Peter assures the recipients of his letter, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9) Beloved in the Lord, regardless of the situation we find ourselves in, let us remain faithful in our walk with the Lord, for we are assured an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance of salvation if we hold on to our faith in the Lord. We are greatly emboldened by Paul’s words,  “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)

In summary, we have deliberated on the theme “faith more precious than gold. We have discovered that we become heirs of the incorruptible and undefiled inheritance of salvation as a result of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to go through thick and thin on account of our faith in the Lord Jesus, even as we prepare to become heirs of His incorruptible and undefiled inheritance of salvation and eternal life. Amen