People have often been heard to say that they wished they would receive an inheritance from a rich uncle or someone else. Recently, an 84-year-old man left $5 million to his 8-year-old border collie in his will. The money is managed by a conservator who manages a trust designed to reimburse the collie’s caretaker for normal monthly expenses. This may seem to be unusual, but in 2007 a lady left $12 million to her dogs, while one woman left $100,00 to her chihuahua and another left $10,000 for the care of her dog.
“Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that every one who invites the Son of God, namely Jesus, into their lives will one day receive an inheritance greater than any inheritance we could ever hope to receive in this life. The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8 that believers have been adopted into the family of God and become the children of God. He says that this makes us God’s heirs and joint-heirs with Christ. As such, we have an amazing hope relating to what he calls the redemption of our body. Just like God redeems our souls through the death of His Son on the cross, one day He will redeem our bodies as well. This means that our mortal and corrupt bodies at that time will become immortal and incorruptible, like the body of Jesus after His resurrection.
In addition to inheriting a glorified body, we are also entitled to some other amazing spiritual inheritances. The apostle Peter writes in I Peter 1, verses 3 to 5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy gives us a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, and an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you.” When we actually receive our spiritual inheritance, we will be able to enjoy them as we walk up and down the golden streets of heaven, as we live in mansions prepared for us by Jesus Himself, and as we sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb, who is Jesus.
But the really good news is that as believers we can also inherit some amazing privileges on this side of heaven. We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, which means that we have our sins forgiven, thereby justifying us in the eyes of the Lord. He considers us to be righteous, and one day expects us to appear before Him as His “glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
