What does it mean to you to be an heir? Do you wish some long-lost aunt, or uncle would leave you a fortune? Are you concerned about sharing your inheritance with someone else? What if there is no inheritance? Have you worried about nothing all along? What then?
The possessions and money left by someone who dies can be a troublesome thing. It can cause family members who profess their love for one another to be at one another’s throats. If someone inherits a lot of money, they can quickly become a completely different person.
All of us who put our faith in Jesus have an inheritance coming. Yet, there will be no fighting over it. There will be no arguing. There will be no dissension. For all of us will inherit what God rightly decides we will inherit. Not only that, but we will also all be with the Father and the Son forever. In fact, the Apostle Paul tells us that we are join heirs with Jesus Himself.
As children of God, we have the Holy Spirit living within us. It is by the Spirit that we cry out to God in joy and in anguish. Yet, when we inherit eternal life, we will only cry out in joy. Yet, Paul also tells us that we must suffer with Christ. That doesn’t mean going to a cross. It does mean bearing our cross daily. It means putting up with ridicule and persecution along the way.
Why should we bear our cross? Because we love Jesus that much. Yes, there will be an inheritance far more wonderful than we can imagine. But that cannot be our reason for bearing our cross. If we are only bearing our cross for a reward, our reward will be what we receive in this world, not what God would love to give us. All of this requires a humble heart. It requires a heart that submits to God.
I pray we all know we are heirs with Jesus Christ. I pray we trust in God’s inheritance. I pray each one of us will humble ourselves before God, bearing our cross, and submit to him. You are an heir with Christ. Trust God. Humble yourself before God. Bear your cross. Submit to God.
Romans 8:15b-17 When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Marty Pressey 