Your Inheritance in Christ: What Does It Mean to Be an Heir?
Financial security. Wealth. Retirement. Inheritance. In this world, we like to feel secure when it comes to our future. We want to know that we are taken care of financially, and we save our pennies hoping to one day retire well and leave an inheritance for our children. But while there is nothing wrong with saving for the future, we need to remember that material wealth can be gone in a moment’s notice. On the other hand, spiritual wealth never fades. The Bible speaks often our inheritance in Christ. But what does it mean to have an inheritance in heaven?
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What qualifies us as heirs?
Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? – James 2:5 (emphasis added)
As children of God, we are His heirs. Much like an earthly father leaves his children an inheritance, our heavenly Father bestows upon us an inheritance as well. But there is one major condition… we must be His child. We must be born again into His family, and pick up our cross to follow Him no matter what the cost. We surrender our hearts to Him in all things, and we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide our lives.
What does it mean to be a joint-heir with Christ?
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. – Romans 8:16-17 (emphasis added)
According to Hebrews 1:2, Jesus was appointed by God as “heir of all things.” So what does it really mean that we are joint-heirs with Christ? It means that we share in His life example. We die to sin and our old selves and raise to new life in Him.
In sharing in His sufferings, we will also share in His inheritance. What belongs to Jesus will belong to us as children of God.
What is our inheritance in Christ?
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1:3-5 (emphasis added)
We’ve already established that Jesus is the heir of all things and that we will share in His inheritance, but the Bible tells us even more.
This inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and will never fade. It is also “reserved in heaven.”
Our inheritance involves many aspects. We will inherit our salvation, the Kingdom of God, and even the whole earth. The Bible also speaks of glory, honor, and crowns in heaven.
Needless to say, it will be an inheritance that is far grander than we could possibly imagine.
How does being an heir affect my everyday life?
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21 (emphasis added)
Jesus told us to store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth. As an heir, this should be our main focus. The truth is that any wealth or treasure we build here on earth will one day have to be left behind. We cannot take it with us. But our treasure in heaven is secure. It cannot be stolen or taken from us in any way.
Building eternal wealth in heaven is a far better investment than building material wealth here on earth.
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. – Ephesians 1:13-14 (emphasis added)
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*Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.
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