Word of Life

Get hold of your Spiritual inheritance!!

“3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will – 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the one he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.  11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:3-14

The day you gave your life to Christ, your identity changed. It doesn’t mean that you were only transformed from a sinful nature to a new life in Christ but you got a new identity in Christ and you became a son in the family of God. Jesus said in John 1:12 that “to all who believed in him, He gave them the right to become sons of God”. Jesus came that He could restore back the fellowship that was cut off in the garden of Aden when man sinned. It was so unfortunate that many didn’t believe in him and thus, they perished. This is serious. The Jews were waiting for a messiah to come down from heaven (maybe in broad daylight) and also come with might to fight off the Roman Empire and save them from their oppression but God chose to do it in a simple and a meek way.

Jesus came and died on the cross to redeem us and free us from the bondage of Satan and restore our fellowship with our heavenly father. And while on the cross, He declared that all was finished; meaning that He had paid the price that you and I were to pay so that we could be re-united with God our father.  One of the most exciting things that took place at the cross and then in Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven; was the fact that we became joint-heirs with Christ. Through us believing in Christ and receiving the forgiveness our sins, we became adopted into the family of God. (Ephesians 1:5b) This was the greatest victory to ever take place in the universe and we have been made partakers of all that it represents. Romans 8:15-17 says “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." The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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 3:29 also says “and if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” 

Looking at the scripture above, Paul reminds the Ephesians that God has chosen them and adopted them into his family and thus they became his sons and thus they have inheritance in his kingdom. Our adoption into the kingdom of God comes along with other blessings and promises as well. Through that relationship that we have in Christ, we received the forgiveness of sins; we have been chosen and adopted to share in the inheritance of the Kingdom and we have received redemption from sins, sickness and curses of the law. Galatians 3:13-14 says “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” What an inspiration there that we have in Christ Jesus?

It is very important for us as believers to understand our spiritual inheritance. Our spiritual inheritance in God is very important to us as believers, because it defines our position in God and who we are in God. Paul continues to say in Ephesians 1:18-20 “I pray also that the eyes of your 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, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…” The first aspect of our inheritance is the eternal scope and the second is the here and now. God wants the eyes of our understanding to be opened to both of these aspects.

Speaking of our Eternal Inheritance, Titus 3:7 says “…that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Joint Heirs with Christ” it is very important for us to catch a glimpse of what our eternal inheritance is going to consist of, because it will help us to endure all that comes our way in this life when we see the greater glory that is awaiting us. In 2 Corinthians 4:17 Paul encourages the Corinthians saying “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…”  Paul encourages us as believers to bear and endure all the afflictions and pains that we go through each and every day in this earth as when we are finally home, “God will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4. David again speaks of the same in Psalms 31:19 saying “Oh, how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have prepared for those who trust in you In the presence of the sons of men” at times, I get anxious and I know you also do. Just as the disciples of Jesus did in John 14, I wonder how heaven will be for me. But my confidence lies in the words of Jesus in John 14:1-4. Jesus said "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." Do you know that you being an heir in the kingdom of God means that you actually begin to partake of His blessings right now? There are so many promises that He has given us in his word for our taking. They include:

a)       All things that pertain unto life and godliness – 2 Peter 1:3.

b)       Partakers of the divine nature of Christ – 2 Peter 1:4.

c)       Power and anointing in the Holy Spirit – Acts 1:8, 1 John 2:27.

d)       Forgiveness of sins and freedom from guilt – 1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1.

e)       Divine health and healing – Matthew 8:17.

f)        Freedom from poverty – assurance that our needs will be met – Matthew 6:36

g)       The prosperity in all things including our soul – 3 John 1:2.

h)       Love, joy, peace and righteousness in the Holy Spirit – Romans 14:17.

i)        Victory and freedom from the bondage of sin – Romans 8:11.

j)        More than conquerors in all things – Romans 8:37.

k)       An abundance of grace for every good work – 2 Corinthians 9: 8.

l)        An understanding of the mystery of God’s will – Ephesians 1:9.

m)      Divine guidance – Romans 8:14.

n)       Happiness – Matthew 5, Beatitudes.

o)       Security – Psalm 91.

With all the blessings and promises above, what do we need to do so that we can be able to partake of the same? Here are a few things that we can do to partake or receive the said blessings and promises.

(a)  Believe that it belongs to you. – There are many things that have been given to you to enjoy in this life that will help you to be productive and successful in fulfilling God’s purpose and destiny for your lives. But you have to meditate on these things so that you get God’s word firmly established in your heart believing that they actually do belong to you. We have to be like Abraham and not waver at the promises God has for us. Romans 4:20-21 says “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.”

(b) Cultivate a lifestyle of faith & obedience. – In Isaiah 1:19 says “if you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good of the land” A big part of gaining our inheritance has to do with cultivating an obedient lifestyle before the Lord. Solomon said in Proverbs that a faithful man or woman will abound with blessings. As we are faithful to cultivate a heart of faithfulness in obedience and faith, we will abound in the inheritance God has for us. Hebrews 11:8 “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would afterward receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” 1 John 3:22 “and we receive from him anything we ask from him, because we obey his commands and do what is pleasing in his sight” When we are consumed with the carnality of our mind and worldly pleasures, we are forsaking our spiritual inheritance for something that is temporal.

(c)   Walk in strength & courage. – Joshua 1:6 "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” One of the things that God delights in is seeing that we face each challenge that we come across with boldness and courage. At times, it may seem like we do not have the capacity to handle what faces us but when we have our courage based and anchored in God, we are assured of victory. It is through such an approach that we are able to gain and get hold of our inheritance that God has ordained for us to walk in.

(d)  Give your life for it. – Matthew 13:44 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Whatever we give our lives to, whether it is some carnal pursuit or spiritual pursuit, we will reap what we sow. Therefore if we give our lives for the kingdom and the inheritance that comes with it, we will reap the blessings that come with it. Galatians 6:7-9 says “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

(e)  Whatever you do, do it heartily. - Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Remember, all this is your inheritance. It belongs to you. Use it for the glory of God and draw from the wells of salvation and you will be filled with the abundance of God’s blessings He has given to you.

Amen!!

January 18th, 2010 - Posted by Mutuma, Dennis | Daily Inspirations | Day-2-Day Life, Spiritual Growth