Some of us may have been or will be in a privileged situation to receive inheritance from the passing of our loved ones or relatives. Some may get to inherit a legacy but others may simply receive a humble amount. Some may not get to inherit anything at all. However, as Christians, we are assured of an inheritance in heaven, provided we remain faithful and obedient to God.
Ephesians 1:16-19 reads:
“Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,” (Eph 1:16-19)
We read of Paul’s prayer for the church where he continually thanked God for them. He prayed that their understanding would be enlightened such that they would know the hope of God’s calling, the glorious riches God has for His saints and what the power of God had done and is doing for His saints.
There are some truths that Christians must know:
THE HOPE OF GOD’S CALLING
God has called us to a heavenly hope. Paul talked about this hope in his letter to the Colossians whereby he thanked God because he heard of their faith in Christ and the love they had for the saints (Colossians 1:3-4). He then said that there is the hope of heaven which is laid up for them (Colossians 1:5) and this hope was what they have heard in the gospel, the truth of God’s word. Christ also promised His disciples of this heavenly hope when He told His disciples not to be troubled nor despair, but to believe in Him as they believe in God. He also said that He would go to prepare a place for them in heaven and come again to receive them such that they would be with Him eternally in heaven (John 14:1-3).
God has called us to a living hope. Peter wrote “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Saints have a living hope because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This tells us that Christ has power over death. As Christ has risen to be in Heaven, we have this living hope of an inheritance in Heaven. Peter also wrote that we are born of incorruptible seed and not of corruptible. In addition, the word of God abideth and endureth forever (1 Peter 1:23, 25). Peter gave the contrast in 1 Peter 1:24 of how flesh is like grass and man’s glory is like the flower of the grass. As the grass and flower withers away, so will man’s glory and life pass away. It is not permanent. However, the word of the Lord is permanent and endures forever. Christians thus have this living hope in the Lord. There is indeed richness in our inheritance because of the hope of God’s calling.
Another truth that Christians must know is:
THE GLORIOUS RICHES OF OUR INHERITANCE
Our inheritance is not corruptible. Peter wrote “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). Notice that this inheritance is incorruptible and undefiled. It will not fade away and it’s reserved for the saints. Jesus spoke of the need to lay up treasures in heaven instead of on earth in Matthew 6:19-21. He said “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Since Jesus said that, we can have the living hope that our inheritance in heaven is not corruptible. It is true riches as compared to earthly riches.
Our inheritance is in heaven. 1 Peter 1:4 also tells us that our inheritance is in heaven. This is how glorious and rich our inheritance is. It is living, it is incorruptible and it is in heaven. Heaven is where God abodes and so if saints’ inheritance is in heaven, saints will be with God in eternity. Picture how glorious this is! Paul also wrote that God had raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). Are we putting enough emphasis on our heavenly inheritance and appreciating the glorious riches of such an inheritance we have? Are we too comfortable here such that we don’t think much of heaven and God’s promise to His children? Brethren, there is richness in our inheritance because it is in heaven.
One more truth that Christians must know is:
THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF GOD’S POWER
God’s power is shown in Christ when He raised Him from the dead (Ephesians 1:20). We read from the gospel accounts that in spite of the heavy stone that was placed at the entrance of the tomb, the Roman seal and guard placed, the tomb was empty as Christ rose from the dead. We read of God’s power whereby Jesus was seen by 500 brethren at once and of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).
God’s power is shown in Christ when He set Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:20). Notice that Paul said that Christ will be “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:” (Ephesians 1:21) We must also not forget that the devils also believe that there is one God and tremble (James 2:19).
God’s power is shown in Christ as head of the church (Ephesians 1:22). The church is the body of Christ (Eph 1:23) and we recall that one who is baptized for the remission of sins is added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47). Christ is not only set in heavenly places, but Paul also wrote that God who is rich in mercy and love would raise Christians up and sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-6). If we go back to the time before Jesus was crucified, Jesus told Thomas “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) And if we go back a few thousand years prior to this, we have God saying to the serpent “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) Indeed, Christ will triumph over Satan and so will the church. Jesus even told Peter that He would build His church and that the gates of hades would not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Since God’s power is so great, we can be rest assured of the richness of our inheritance.
God has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:12). As we are reminded of the hope and of our inheritance which is in heaven, let us not neglect the Word and forfeit our inheritance. May we lay up true riches for ourselves.