Ephesians 1:11 says “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance…” this is a beneficiary, often called an heir, although technically in America the conditions under which a beneficiary and an heir receive the inheritance may differ, the benefits are the same; in either case it is receiving assets from a predecessor. We are promised this inheritance because of our predecessor in the kingdom, the Lord Jesus Christ; Galatians 3:26 says, “For you are all sons (children) of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” And Romans 8:17 assures us that “if children, then heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ”. Joint heirs speak of having equal access to the inheritance which means that we, through New Birth union with Christ, share every asset that the Father has bestowed on Him! This heir-ship unlocks the treasures and benefits of God to us in this life, but these are only the beginning or down-payment; it means that as Jesus was raised from the dead we also will be raised from the dead! As He ascended into heaven we also will ascend into heaven; as He abides in the Father’s house we also will abide in the Father’s house; as He reigns as King, the Bible says we will “reign with Him a thousand years”, and so much more! However an inheritance can also be certain characteristics, dispositions, Etc. passed on through ancestors, as we would say “they inherited it through their parents.” So we inherit the seed of the qualities and characteristics the Father exhibited in Jesus through the new birth , and it is now our responsibility to cultivate these into maturity! As Jesus bore the image of the Father, so should we; as Jesus manifested the love of the Father so should we; as Jesus was moved with compassion so we should be also; As He was “gentle (meek) and lowly, we should be likewise! I am a beneficiary in progress!
A family heir
By Rose Hill
When in God’s family we are an heir,
Oh what benefits we have there.
To be like Jesus we must strive to be,
And manifest the love of the Father as did He.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright …1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. Used by permission.