In Ephesians 1, Paul speaks of our inheritance. Most Christians do not have any real inheritance in this world to look forward to, so they do not really understand the idea of an inheritance. Many preachers kind of avoid the whole issue or speak to it only on occasion. So, let's think about it.
God has placed a great emphasis on this point. Acts 20:32; Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18, 5:5; Colossians 1:12, 3:24; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:14. It is a very important part of how God has explained His plan to us. we do not want to ignore it.
We have received an inheritance. This means that there is something put up for us to receive one day, an inheritance. How would you live if you knew you had an inheritance? If you knew your father was wealthy and powerful, and you knew that one day when he died you would receive his wealth and power, how would you live?
People who have an inheritance live very differently. They have an assurance in their life that normal people do not have. They know that, if things go badly for them, something can come in to save them. They are not as concerned about losing a job or having some financial problem, because they know that there is money for them somewhere. If you spend time with people who have an inheritance, you cannot help but notice the difference. They are more confident, they are more assured, they do not worry as much as other people.
A godly man with an inheritance is the most confident man on earth. He does not worry about worldly things because he has an inheritance. He does not struggle with his place in the world because his place is assured by his inheritance. He walks freely because he knows that, behind him, there is an inheritance. He is treated deferentially by others who know that, one day, he will be their boss or in a position of importance.
God tells us of our inheritance because he wants us to live in the same way. He wants us to arise in the morning knowing that nothing which happens will destroy us. He wants us to know that His power is on our side. He wants us to think about what awaits us in heaven, not to focus on what we face on earth. "Set you mind on things above," we are told, "not on things on the earth." Why? "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
The world surrounds us and burdens us and disappoints us and scares us. If we focus on the world around us, we will not be very different from those around us who have no other hope. But if we focus on our inheritance, then we can walk through the troubles of this world with a confidence about the future.
We have an inheritance which cannot be defiled. It cannot be taken away. It informs every day of my life.
God has placed a great emphasis on this point. Acts 20:32; Ephesians 1:11, 14, 18, 5:5; Colossians 1:12, 3:24; Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 1:14. It is a very important part of how God has explained His plan to us. we do not want to ignore it.
We have received an inheritance. This means that there is something put up for us to receive one day, an inheritance. How would you live if you knew you had an inheritance? If you knew your father was wealthy and powerful, and you knew that one day when he died you would receive his wealth and power, how would you live?
People who have an inheritance live very differently. They have an assurance in their life that normal people do not have. They know that, if things go badly for them, something can come in to save them. They are not as concerned about losing a job or having some financial problem, because they know that there is money for them somewhere. If you spend time with people who have an inheritance, you cannot help but notice the difference. They are more confident, they are more assured, they do not worry as much as other people.
A godly man with an inheritance is the most confident man on earth. He does not worry about worldly things because he has an inheritance. He does not struggle with his place in the world because his place is assured by his inheritance. He walks freely because he knows that, behind him, there is an inheritance. He is treated deferentially by others who know that, one day, he will be their boss or in a position of importance.
God tells us of our inheritance because he wants us to live in the same way. He wants us to arise in the morning knowing that nothing which happens will destroy us. He wants us to know that His power is on our side. He wants us to think about what awaits us in heaven, not to focus on what we face on earth. "Set you mind on things above," we are told, "not on things on the earth." Why? "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
The world surrounds us and burdens us and disappoints us and scares us. If we focus on the world around us, we will not be very different from those around us who have no other hope. But if we focus on our inheritance, then we can walk through the troubles of this world with a confidence about the future.
We have an inheritance which cannot be defiled. It cannot be taken away. It informs every day of my life.