Inheritance has been on my mind lately. That which we inherit has nothing to do with the work we've done but everything to do with who we're related to. The Bible makes it clear that God is interested in generations. It's not just money and reputation that get passed down the line. God shows His "love to a thousand generations of those who love [Him] and keep [His] commandments" (Exodus 20:5-6).
But if you don't have a good family line, it's alright. The definition of family has been extended beyond the biological context. If we have received Christ, we have been grafted into Abraham's family (Romans 11:17). We have inherited the prosperity, influence, and blessing God promised (and demonstrated) to Abraham.
Hebrews 12:1 talks about the "great cloud of witnesses" that surrounds us, referring to the heroes of the faith who went before us (Hebrews 11). We are not alone; rather, we are receiving the benefits of their hope and perseverance (Hebrews 11:39-40). Again, it's not something we earned, and yet, how much we benefit from our inheritance does depend on us... "Since we are surrounded by
such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that
hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." You can inherit a fortune, but if you make foolish decisions, it won't last you long, and you'll be back where you started. You can inherit a genetic aptitude for athletics, but if you don't take care of your body and train, you can forget any chance of getting into the Olympics. However, if you believe in and steward your gift, anything is possible.
So God has set up a system for us to receive the fruits of what our biological and spiritual ancestors have worked for. But I haven't yet mentioned our greatest inheritance. "We are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory" (Romans 8:16-17). Heirs of our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. Heirs of Abraham and all the believers who have gone before us. And now, heirs of God, inheriting all that Jesus earned through His obedient life and death!
But what does it mean? One of the gifts we have inherited through grace is eternal life - we Christians have that one down pat. We read about our "inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade, [which] is kept in heaven for [us]" (1 Peter 1:4). And we think, Oh, I'm sharing in Christ's sufferings here on earth, but when I die, I'm going to heaven. Grin and bear it. We think our inheritance is kept in heaven for us like a child's college savings are kept in a trust fund for him - untouchable until some far-off point. But that is not God's intention. An inheritance is granted when the ancestor dies, not when the heir dies. Jesus already died. We are, right now, seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Jesus taught His disciples to pray for heaven on earth (Matthew 6:10). We have access to all of the Father's resources right now. He has stored up goodness for us, not for when this life is over, but to lavish it on us now, "before the watching world" (Psalm 31:19). We pray prayers like, "God, get me through. Give me enough to get by." But Jesus came to give life in abundance - more than just what we need (John 10:10). Yes, there are times when He teaches us obedience through the things we suffer, and we learn dependence on Him through times of lack. But once you realize you are a son or daughter of the King, you stop living like a pauper. You set your sights higher and reach for better things. You train to be a champion.
One more thing. God is our inheritance. This is an amazing, undeserved gift. But what's more, He has chosen us, a frail, obstinate, disobedient, fickle people to be His own inheritance (Exodus 24:9, 1 Kings 8:52-53, Psalm 33:12, Psalm 74:2, Psalm 94:14, Jeremiah 10:16). That astounds me. So much does He value us that He considers us His choice possession. If we can just get a grasp on this - the fact that He is ours and we are His - it will empower us to live like victors.
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people." ~Ephesians 1:18
