Just as we inherit lands, houses and wealth from our parents, because we were born to them, even so, we will inherit God's kingdom and its riches, if we are born of God. 'In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you.' - (1 Peter 1:4) As for those who are born of God, the presence of the Holy Spirit in them is a deposit who guarantees them their inheritance. 'Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance UNTIL the redemption of those who are God's possession.' - (Ephesians 1:14) Therefore, we ought not to 'grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom we were sealed for the day of redemption.' ( 4:30) Then on the day of redemption, 'when the Son of Man comes in his glory ... he will sit on his throne ... All the nations will be gathered before him and he will separate the people ... Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."- (Matthew 25:31-34) As for those on his left, they do not have an inheritance 'for of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.' - (Ephesians 5:5)
The promise of an inheritance was first made to Abraham, even before the law was given. 'For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.' - (Galatians 3:18) Abraham was promised a 'delightful inheritance' (Psalm 16:6) on earth, 'a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey' ( Exodus 3:8), extending from the river (Wadi) of Egypt in the south to Lebanon in the north; from the great river Euphrates in the east to the Great sea or the Mediterranean in the west. - (Genesis 15:18, Joshua 1:4) However, Abraham realised that his inheritance was not limited to earth but that he also has a 'glorious inheritance', in heaven. 'By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went ... By faith he made his home in the promised land ... he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise ... For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God ... They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance ... They were longing for a better country - a heavenly one ... Therefore God ... has prepared a city for them.' - (Hebrews 11:8-16) Hallelujah! Do we see our inheritance from a distance as Abraham did? If not, 'I pray that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened in order that we may know ... the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints ...' - (Ephesians 1:18) All of Abraham descendants did not partake of the inheritance, like godless Esau, 'who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterwards, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears.' - ( Hebrews 12:16-17) If we indulge in the sinful nature or the flesh, we stand to lose our inheritance both on earth as well as in heaven! Therefore let's be sanctified so that we might take possession of our inheritance. 'Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.' - (Acts 20:32) Amen.
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