Have you ever experienced receiving an inheritance? What is an inheritance, and what does that mean?
- A thing that is inherited
- The practice of receiving private property, titles, debts, entitlements, privileges, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual.
- Something of value left to another that had nothing to do with what is left to that person(s). Someone else worked or earned the value of what has been left to a beneficiary or heir.
My husband and I experience receiving a small inheritance from one of his aunts. We had nothing to do with what she left us. All we had to do was acknowledge that we were who she left it to and receive the gift, that was it! We didn’t have to do anything to earn it, work for it, or beg for it. It legally belonged to us. Do you know that what God has given to you in Christ is legally yours and all you have to do is say “yes, thank you I will receive that”?
You and I are declared “heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ! There isn’t any inheritance greater than what God has offered us as His children. So, what does this mean for us right now here on this earth and for our heavenly future?
First of all, we need to establish that we are indeed “children of God” and if you have accepted Christ, you are.. Let’s look at these next 2 scriptures
Romans 8:15, 17 – For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”…….. and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Galatians 4:5-7 – to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
We have been qualified to be partakers of His inheritance, because the inheritance is by promise, not by the law. Galatians 3:18 When God gives His Word, we can have absolute confidence in that Word.
- Colossians 1:12 – giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
- Ephesians 1:11,18 – In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…… the eyes of your [a]understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
- Galatians 3:18 – For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
The Ephesian verse above highlights the truth that believers are predestined to an inheritance secured by God’s will and sealed by the Holy Spirit, and in 1 Peter, our inheritance is described as something imperishable, undefiled and is kept in heaven for YOU!
- 1 Peter 1:4 – to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
Everything that Jesus died and paid for at the Cross belongs to everyone who calls on Him as Savior and Lord. It is yours. Now, whether you take it or not, is completely up to you. Will you believe this is true and ask the Holy Spirit what all belongs to you and how to walk in this beautiful inheritance that He paid for?
I will leave you with this verse – The Apostle Paul was warning the Pastors over the flock about those who would try to pervert and draw away the disciples to themselves. So, he gave this word to them and to us to comfort and protect us from those wolves. Don’t let what belongs to you be stolen by lies from others. These were some of Paul’s last words:
- Acts 20:32 – “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Remember, you are Loved, you are Righteous, and you are His!