The believer’s inheritance – Part 1

God grants every Christian a heritage that is enjoyable on earth and in heaven. There is provision of natural, spiritual, temporal and eternal inheritance for individuals, families, a local church and the Church at large. “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). 

Most people have nothing to inherit from their earthly connections. While many who have some earthly inheritance lose much to administrators and solicitors of their will, some are not allowed to enjoy their inheritance to the full. The benefits of earthly inheritance are limited. But as we accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ, even though we may not have any inheritance from relations here on earth, we have an inheritance in and through Him, and this surpasses any inheritance here on earth. 

However, to enjoy this inheritance, you must be converted and transformed from the kingdom of the world to the Kingdom of Christ. You plead to God for forgiveness and pardon for your sinful conducts and indulgences, you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, and you allow Him from then to direct the course of your life. Then you become “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ”. And it is through Him that God will “freely give us all things” to satisfy our needs here on earth.

To inherit the kingdom of God, the sinner must be converted and the soul recreated. This requires coming out of darkness and devil’s imprisonment, and stepping into the light and freedom of the Lord. Those who “repent… and (are) converted” will get the inheritance that brings blessings from on high for today, the near future and eternity. 

Although the inheritance of God is available for everyone, there is no inheritance for the sinner. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” Those who take delight in sin should know that the pleasure of sin is for a short time, but the inheritance that awaits the converted is an eternal pleasure. It is foolish for anyone to steal a token and lose all the prosperity of heaven that God gives “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Conversion brings power, light, wisdom and progress to the life of an individual who gives God a chance in his life to work on his character, behaviour, heart and spirit. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Backsliders, those who wilfully turn back from following the Lord, like Esau, who exchange their birthright with bread for the belly, will forfeit their inheritance. They will suffer sickness, guilt, yoke, fear and risk eternity in hell. However, to be restored to the Lord, such persons must experience repentance through faith in Christ, regeneration and forgiveness by the Lord. Only then will they have righteousness and freedom through Christ.
Further Reading (King James Version): Acts 20:32; 26:16; Colossians 1:12; Romans 8:17,32; 1 Corinthians 2:9,10; Acts 3:19,20,26; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Ephesians 2:8-10.