Our Inheritance
1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Reflection
Shortly after we became parents, my husband and I met with our financial advisor, who recommended we meet with a lawyer to finalize a will. This document would outline the details of our direct wishes for our property and assets, as well as for the care of our children. In the midst of this discussion, I internally started to think about all that my children would inherit. I thought about our house, our bank accounts, our investments, our cars, and the list went on. My thought process checked off materialistic possessions, all while hoping the best gifts we leave behind would bring them love, comfort, and security amid grief. But here's the thing: what I perceived as my best gifts will perish, spoil, and fade. What my children will physically inherit from me are things of this earth, broken by sin.
When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts as Lord and Savior, we become His children, adopted into His family. As God’s children, He gives us an inheritance. His inheritance is far greater than any gift I leave behind to my children. Why? Because God is righteous, holy, pure, blameless, exalted. His inheritance for His children is imperishable, unspoiled, and unfading.
So what exactly do we inherit as children of God? His kingdom, an eternal and joyful existence with Him in Heaven. The gift of salvation for each of us who call Him Lord is kept in heaven, protected by God’s power (verses 4 and 5). The same God who created heaven and earth, formed humanity, split seas, and defeated death is the same God who loves us and protects our inheritance. Not only is His gift imperishable, unspoiled, and unfading, but it is also reserved for us.
The property and assets I would leave behind for my children do not compare to our inheritance as children of God. As a parent, the best gift I can give my children is Jesus.
Action Steps
1. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, what’s stopping you? Pray, ask God for forgiveness of your sins, and for Him to come into your heart and life right now!
2. Listen to “Adoption Song” by Brandon Lake and Praise God for adopting you as His son or daughter!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are a loving God. Thank You for adopting me into Your family. Thank You for giving me an inheritance full of Your great love and mercy. I can’t fathom the goodness You have waiting for me, the goodness You are protecting for me. Please help me to lead others to You, Lord, so they also will inherit Your Kingdom. In Your loving name, amen.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Reflection
Shortly after we became parents, my husband and I met with our financial advisor, who recommended we meet with a lawyer to finalize a will. This document would outline the details of our direct wishes for our property and assets, as well as for the care of our children. In the midst of this discussion, I internally started to think about all that my children would inherit. I thought about our house, our bank accounts, our investments, our cars, and the list went on. My thought process checked off materialistic possessions, all while hoping the best gifts we leave behind would bring them love, comfort, and security amid grief. But here's the thing: what I perceived as my best gifts will perish, spoil, and fade. What my children will physically inherit from me are things of this earth, broken by sin.
When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts as Lord and Savior, we become His children, adopted into His family. As God’s children, He gives us an inheritance. His inheritance is far greater than any gift I leave behind to my children. Why? Because God is righteous, holy, pure, blameless, exalted. His inheritance for His children is imperishable, unspoiled, and unfading.
So what exactly do we inherit as children of God? His kingdom, an eternal and joyful existence with Him in Heaven. The gift of salvation for each of us who call Him Lord is kept in heaven, protected by God’s power (verses 4 and 5). The same God who created heaven and earth, formed humanity, split seas, and defeated death is the same God who loves us and protects our inheritance. Not only is His gift imperishable, unspoiled, and unfading, but it is also reserved for us.
The property and assets I would leave behind for my children do not compare to our inheritance as children of God. As a parent, the best gift I can give my children is Jesus.
Action Steps
1. Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If not, what’s stopping you? Pray, ask God for forgiveness of your sins, and for Him to come into your heart and life right now!
2. Listen to “Adoption Song” by Brandon Lake and Praise God for adopting you as His son or daughter!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are a loving God. Thank You for adopting me into Your family. Thank You for giving me an inheritance full of Your great love and mercy. I can’t fathom the goodness You have waiting for me, the goodness You are protecting for me. Please help me to lead others to You, Lord, so they also will inherit Your Kingdom. In Your loving name, amen.
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