Collins Concise Dictionary defines inheritance as:
1. (a) A hereditary succession to an estate,
title etc.
(b) The right of an heir to succeed on the death of an
ancestor.
(c) Something
that may legally be transmitted to an heir.
2. Something
inherited; heritage.
Who is the “we”
referred to in the title of the blog post?
Who gives this
inheritance?
Why is the
inheritance given?
How is the
inheritance obtained?
When does the
inheritance take place?
Where is the
inheritance situated?
What does the
inheritance consist of?
We find the reference to our title in the book of
Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:11, “In
Him [Christ] also we obtained an
inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him [God the
Father] who works all things according to the counsel of His will [God the
Father].
Words in square brackets are inserted for the sake
of clarity.
Who is the “we”? Ephesians 1:6, 7 gives us
the answer. “(6) ...He [God the Father] made
us accepted in the Beloved [Christ]. (7) In Him [Christ] we have redemption
through His blood the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
[God the Father].” It is those who have been redeemed through the blood of
Christ who get the inheritance.
Who gives this inheritance? If we were to read from verse
1 it would become obvious that it is God the Father who gives the
inheritance through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why is the inheritance given? Verse 5 tells
us that we are adopted as sons of God the Father. Verse 6 tells us that
we are accepted in Christ, the Beloved. Verse 7 tells us that we have
been redeemed through the blood of Christ and our sins are forgiven. If we are
sons, then we are heirs, and heirs are legally entitled to their inheritance.
How is the inheritance obtained? Usually an
inheritance is given upon the death of the person giving the inheritance. In
that sense, the Lord Jesus Christ died upon the cross at Calvary to give us an
inheritance from God the Father.
When does the inheritance take place? When we die
and go to Heaven, then we enter into the fullness of our inheritance.
Where is the inheritance situated? Although we do
enjoy some of the benefits of our inheritance here on Earth, the full benefits
and blessings of our inheritance can only be obtained in Heaven. It is a
heavenly inheritance.
What does the inheritance consist of? Here are some
of the things in store for us.
1
Eternal life (John 3:16).
2
A home in Heaven (John 14:2, 3).
3
Being part of God’s family (John 14:2, 3); (Ephesians 1:5).
4
Joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16, 17).
5
The complete absence of sin, sorrow and death (Revelation 21:4).
6
Eternal joy and happiness (Psalm 16:11).
This inheritance is guaranteed. Ephesians 1:13, 14,
“(13) ...having believed, you were sealed
with the Holy Spirit of promise. (14) Who is the guarantee of our inheritance
until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
This inheritance is reserved for us 1 Peter 1:4,
“...an inheritance incorruptible and
undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”
It is God’s inheritance which He will share with us
through the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:18, “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.”
Fellow believers in Christ, what a truly amazing
inheritance is prepared for you and me by God the Father! May your meditations
of Him be sweet.
Jon Peasey
Biblical Perspectives blog www.jon-peasey.blogspot.com
[All Scriptures quoted
are from the New King James version]
[You are welcome to comment on this blog post by clicking on
the comment section at the end of the post.]
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