October 18 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 53–55; 2 Thessalonians 1

Faith and Bananas

He has given us new birth into . . . an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. 1 Peter 1:3–4

1 Peter 1:3–4

READ 1 Peter 1:3–9

During the UK’s first lockdown in 2020, people stockpiled various groceries amidst the warnings of food shortages. But the overflowing bowls of bananas soon turned brown and mushy. Soon internet searches for banana bread soared by 525 percent, with over 45,000 pictures of loaves posted on Instagram.

As we learned in lockdown, it’s pointless to stockpile perishable things. The Apostle Peter, however, expands the definition of ‘perishable’ far beyond just fruit and vegetables. He explained that even the most valuable things this world has to offer, such as gold, “perishes even though refined by fire” (1 Peter 1:7). Investing ourselves in the treasures of this earth is therefore as valuable and useful as a bunch of rotten bananas. So what remains of lasting value to us?

Peter says that proven, genuine faith in Christ and His eternal kingdom is “of greater worth than gold” (v. 7). It will ultimately result in the best inheritance of all: “the salvation of [our] souls” (v. 9). Unlike earthly riches, our heavenly inheritance “can never perish, spoil or fade,” but is “kept in heaven” for us (v. 4).

We can’t take worldly treasures beyond the grave, but when we develop and deepen our faith, we invest in a treasure that will last for all eternity. As our faith grows, so too will our “inexpressible and glorious joy” (v. 8). Let’s pray that this joy inspires others to cling to Jesus’ eternal kingdom.

By Debbi Fralick

What treasures do you invest yourself in? Why is faith in God more precious than gold?

Heavenly Father, please help me to see the treasures of this world through Your eyes. I want to pour myself into the things that will last for all eternity.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

In 1 Peter 1:8, Peter is reinforcing an important idea that goes back to the gospel of John. In John 20:29, the risen Christ said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” That includes all in our generation who have followed Jesus. While we weren’t present when He was physically on this earth, we can embrace by faith the record of Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) and the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives ( Romans 8:16) as evidence of the truth of what we’ve not seen but believed (John 16:13–15). As Paul wrote, “For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).