Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

28 November 2025

Reading From I Peter 5

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

—I Peter 5:5-11

     Humility is essential for salvation, sanctification and glorification.  Humility is being able to admit that you are a sinner in need of the undeserved favor of God.[1]  Humility is being able to admit that no matter what the faults of others are, that you have faults of your own.[2]  Humility is not thinking of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather sober judgment.[3]  If we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up. 

     We are called to more than the life we have in our present reality.  Each of us as children of God are destined for greatness.  We are being prepared for glory.  When Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise first and we who are living will be caught up to meet them in the air and forever we will be with the Lord in His brightness.  Every born again believer will receive a glorified body and by God’s grace be perfected and exalted to reign and judge with Christ. 

     Though we suffer through many tragedies, challenges, and all manner of hard times, we should be comforted and strengthened in the knowledge that God will work all things together for the good of those that love Him, who are called to His good purpose.[4]  He is bringing all things together, tying up all the loose ends of human history, and putting all things under His perfect, total authority.[5] 

We will be with Him, perfectly united as His eternal family, enjoying amazing adventures in the New Heaven and the New Earth, and glorifying Him forevermore.  Right now the family of God shares in suffering all kinds of trials and temptations.  Suffering has a way of bringing people together.  When Christ brings consummation to all things, we will be brought together in glory.

“God, thank You for the bright hope that we have in You.  Our blessed hope is the glorious appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I pray that You would encourage and strengthen my brothers and sisters.  Although we are met with all kinds of challenges, times of opposition, and seasons of darkness, the light of Your Presence beams brightly before us and one day Your light will consume all darkness.  We will bask in the warm glow of Your love and holiness forever.  Thank You Jesus.  Amen.”

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

—Revelation 21:1-4

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[1] Romans 3:23, James 5:16

[2] Romans 15:1

[3] Romans 12:3

[4] Romans 8:28

[5] I Corinthians 15:23-28, Philippians 1:6