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.