Inheritance

Read: Ephesians 1:17-21

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know . . . the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. Ephesians 1:18, NIV

IN WORD

Paul has prayed that the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened, that we would be flooded with light in order to see all that God has freely given us in Christ. Only with the eyes of the Spirit can we see the hope of our calling, and only with those eyes can we see the riches of our inheritance. That’s a marvelous, extravagant promise, and we rejoice that it’s true. But if you ask Christians what their inheritance is, most would not have a very clear answer. We know we want it. We just don’t know what it entails.

The bottom line is that Kingdom citizens inherit the Kingdom. Jesus used this phrase often, as did Paul. Peter referred to our inheritance too. It’s imperishable, immortal, and available only to those who have been born of the King. It’s characterized by a wealth of grace and freedom of knowing God as Father. It’s eternal life, but it’s more than that; it’s the glory of that life. As Paul says clearly in Romans 8:17, we are coheirs with Christ. In other words, whatever Jesus inherits (which is everything), we inherit with Him.

Why do we need to know that? Because too many of us live with a sense of defeat. Because a common perception of heaven is that it involves clouds, harps, wings, and a good bit of boredom. Because we need to understand inheritance now in order to live with the outlook and authority heirs are allowed to have. If we understand our inheritance, everything changes. We live as those who know who they are.

IN DEED

Spend some time meditating on what it means to inherit the Kingdom. Think about its present implications as well as its future fulfillment. Learn to live as a child of the King and a reflection of His glory. How you envision your riches in Christ has everything to do with the attitudes, actions, and vision you live with now. Ask that the eyes of your heart, the floodlights of your inner being, would enable you to see the truth of who you really are in Him.

ADDITIONAL READING: Romans 8:17

An inheritance is not only kept for us, but we are kept for it.

RICHARD SIBBES