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1 Peter 1:18
18 Forasmuch as ye know [eido] that [hoti] ye were [lutroo] not [ou] redeemed [lutroo] with corruptible things [phthartos], as silver [argurion] and [e] gold [chrusion], from [ek] your [humon] vain [mataios] conversation [anastrophe] received by tradition from your fathers [patroparadotos]; KJV-Interlinear
18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, NASB
There are three things that will never perish. Three things in this current universe, that is, namely God, angels and mankind.
Even unbelieving man and fallen angels will live forever, it is just that their forever will be in the Lake of Fire, and not in heaven.
God has lived forever and there has never been a time when He has not existed. Man was created in a living soul, and from the time of each of our initial creation (birth), each of our lives will continue forever. The same goes for angels, from the time of their initial creation.
As for the rest of the universe, whether planets, stars, dust, or your precious possessions and talents, all will be destroyed completely and thoroughly, and then replaced with things that will last forever.
Things perishable, include the obvious, but they also include the not so obvious, such as your talents, abilities, opinions, attitudes, and so forth. If you had anything that was imperishable, then you might be tempted to boast of your own natural ability to beat God at His own game.
But that is not to be. Whatever you possess, whomever you are in this world, whatever talent, IQ, ability, looks, titles, achievements, social status, etc., etc., etc., they are all temporary and will sooner or later be lost to you, forever.
What made you, what saved you, what supports you, what allows you to continue your life in whatever capacity you might be in at the moment, or ever will be in, is the work of Christ. But that is in the next verse and we aren’t quite there yet.
These last two verses are intended to put you (all of humanity), in your place.
Have a problem with authority? Arrogance is your stumbling block. Have a problem with respect? Arrogance is your stumbling block. Have a problem with how God is running the world? Arrogance in your stumbling block.
God has a plan, which is far more complicated than the smartest of people can figure out. Even if we knew the details of today, we could not figure out the details of tomorrow or next year, or the next century. We have trouble enough predicting the weather accurately.
Remember that Peter is addressing folks that have been displaced from their home country, and are living under harsh conditions in foreign countries. Many have been displaced for generations, for centuries, even since the Babylonian captivity.
And so it is with us. As believers in Christ, our true home is heaven. But, here we are in a foreign land, planet earth, in this life, living under harsh conditions, our physical and perishable bodies for one thing and the poor economy of today, for another, just to name a couple of difficulties.
We are specs of dust. We are human life resident in a human soul, housed in a biological body made of dust.
Where in us is the basis for any kind of boasting?
And so we suffer.
God has given us tremendous blessings. God has given us tremendous doctrines and opportunities to live through this life, despite our handicaps. And all He asks is that we obey His commands. Commands which are based in truth (not lies), and designed to help and aid us through this life, and more important, commands and mechanisms which are deigned to prepare us for an eternal inheritance.
All this for dust!!! That is you.
Now, where is your appreciation? Where is your obedience? Where is your interest?
