Our Inheritance

As Christians, do we really understand our salvation? By thinking salvation is only getting to go to Heaven one day, do we cheapen the exceedingly great gift Jesus suffered and died for? Pastor Nathan answered these questions today in his message entitled “Our Inheritance.”

John 10:10 is a very familiar scripture describing the nature of our enemy, Satan. He is defined as one who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but that same verse tells us that Jesus came to give us abundant life! Salvation is more than a conversion; it is our inheritance. Abundant life includes all that we need physically, spiritually, financially, and so much more!

In Hebrews 6:12 we are admonished “be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Slothful can mean lazy, but it holds a deeper meaning. It can be defined as not taking possession of what belongs to you. The New Testament is the Last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ; however, we must step up and take ownership. A will is a legal document, but sometimes what belongs to us can come into conflict. If a family member left you an inheritance and someone tried to take it from you, would you fight for it? Most would resoundingly answer, yes! Why then would we so easily allow the devil to steal what God has given us as our inheritance? God desires that His children live in blessing. We don’t just serve a God who can. We serve a God who has already provided everything for us; however, it is up to us to take possession or ownership of our inheritance. Blessed can be defined as people who know what belongs to them and that take possession of it. Your name is in the will. Furthermore, salvation belongs to every sinner, but they must step up and take possession of it!

Reading from Hebrews 12:16, Pastor Nathan went on to explain the story of Jacob and Esau. As the firstborn, Esau was to receive the birthright or the inheritance of the firstborn son. However, Esau did not value his inheritance. (Genesis 25:27-34 NLT) Coming home exhausted and hungry, Esau desired some of the red stew which his brother Jacob was cooking. Jacob easily negotiated the birthright from his brother for a bowl of soup because “He (Esau) showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.” Later Jacob’s mother, Rebekah, helped him deceive his own father into giving him the birthright. (Genesis 27:1-40) Jacob means deceiver, but later God changed his name to Israel signifying that God can change our name and our identity. (Genesis 32:26)

Isn’t that what salvation is all about? Without Jesus, we were without hope and without God in this world. (Ephesians 2:12) We were strangers to the covenant of promise, but we don’t have to stay that way! We can be adopted into the family of God and become a joint heir with Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:17) We have an inheritance! We have a new family name with all the rights and privileges of family members!! What an inheritance!! Abundant life awaits. Are you willing to fight for it?