What will Heaven be like? While some biblical authors will attempt to explain aspects of our eternal home’s appearance, Peter chooses to tell us what it won’t be like. He states, it won’t perish. Heaven won’t be a place that can be defiled as the earth has become in many ways down here. Our new home above will be perfect on day one (though it’s a place outside time) as on day one billion (I Pt. 1.4). So Peter tells us what paradise won’t be like by explaining the difference between Heaven and earth.
Interestingly, Peter tells us about our inheritance to give us motivation while in the middle of our earthly trials. We should be motivated to endure the lowest valleys in life because of what awaits us. This seems to be something we’d all agree with; however, some seem to be motivated by fear of the punishment rather than faith in the prize. While it’s true that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov. 9.10-12), God wants us to live out our faith based on the knowledge of eternal rest.
As one makes their way down through the chapter the reason Peter begins by elucidating our heavenly home becomes clear. With all of that in mind, we’re told to prepare mentally for what we’re called to do (v.13). We must prepare our minds for action! What things demand preparation in your own mind? For some it’s their view of God or the reason they suffer in the first place. They may think if they don’t live perfectly then they’ll be lost forever— so they anxiously go about living a “check list” style Christianity.
THREE WAYS TO PREPARE YOUR MIND
Preparing the mind means educating the mind.
1. Educate the mind about the concept and workings of the amazing grace Jesus offers us.
2. Prepare the mind by filling the mind with the glories of heaven.
3. Prepare the mind by studying the benefits of Christian suffering, rather than allowing our suffering to negatively distort our view of God.