Merriam-Webster tells us that an inheritance is something that flows from parent to offspring.
It comes to us with little work on our part. It’s not ours, and then it is.
Just like that.
What’s our Christian inheritance? What comes to us from God simply because we’ve become his child in the Kingdom?
1 Corinthians 3:21-23 tells us even life, death, the present, and the future are ours through Christ.
“So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”
Imagine a dry sponge. It is stiff and useless. Let it soak up water, and it becomes pliable and imminently useful for many purposes.
Until we accept our inheritance, we are a dry sponge. The Spirit of the Lord needs to flow from him unto us, filling us with his power and love. It’s our inheritance, our life, and the substance of our glorious future that awaits us.
It’s guaranteed. Here’s our inheritance pedigree:
“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:29
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:16-17
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9
“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
Our inheritance through Jesus comes by the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We become infused with his power, and every time the world squeezes us, love oozes out. A dry sponge scratches everything it touches. We become useful to God because we are filled with the Spirit. Our strength is in our softness and flexibility. We will fit all circumstances, wash away sin and grime, and leave behind a better world when we are gone.
It’s time to soak up our Christian inheritance today.
The power of Christ comes with our salvation, no waiting, no complications, and no more dry tomorrows.
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Code: MST.D.27.18.vp.esv.Guest Contributor Sue Turnipseed