2000-12-05 - Inheritance

Part 10 - What Actually Happened? The Moment I Trusted Christ

Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

What happens the moment we trust in Christ for salvation?

10. We receive an eternal inheritance (Colossians 1:12)

    I have never received an inheritance. In one sense I am thankful for that, no one close enough to me, who would have left me anything, has died. The word inheritance comes from the Latin heres, or "heir," which actually derives its origin from the Greek, khera, which directly refers to widows, and from the Sanskrit ha-, which means "to leave" or "to lose." Lots of words derive their origin from these early words including: heredity, heritage, inherit, and a host of others.

    In the Hebrew, the word is nakh-al-aw, and most of the references to an inheritance tie themselves to the land. Cattle were often the chief property of an inheritance. Generally an inheritance was something that excluded women, but in Job 42:15, we find that Job gave his daughters an inheritance. The eldest son usually got the lions' share of any inheritance, usually a double portion.

    We could go on and on, detailing how inheritances have worked out in history and the plan of God. But, rather than draw this out, I would like to get to some specifics that apply to us today, in relation to our inheritance as children of God.

    First, God Himself and His free offer of salvation, are the child of God's inheritance. Psalm 16:5, "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; Thou dost support my cup." See also Jeremiah 3:19 and 1 Peter 1:4. Even more so, Christians are the inheritance of Christ. We are given to Christ as His inheritance for His work of atonement, Psalm 2:8, "Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Thy possession." See also, Hebrews 1:4.

    God's testimonies are His people's inheritance. Psalm 119:111, "I have inherited Thy testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart." This is one of those far-reaching principles, because God's testimonies include His word and all the promises contained in His revelation to us. So just as in the Old Testament an inheritance was often tied to the land, so also our inheritance as children of God is tied to Heaven. Heaven, and all the blessings contained in Heaven, is the Christian's final inheritance.

    Lastly, there is a wonderful promise regarding inheritance that Christ gave in Matthew 19:29. It is a great comfort for all those who have sacrificed for their faith, or have been forsaken by family and friends because of their faith. Christ says there, "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, shall receive many times as much, and shall inherit eternal life." What a stunning thought. Consider the blessings that await the children of God in glory.

"All heiresses are beautiful." John Dryden (1631-1700), English Poet

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

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