Tag Archives: Inheritance

Awakened & Alive in Jesus Christ

30 Thursday Jul 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

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ID-10027894Death is a natural occurrence as it relates to the cycle of life that everyone has and will experience.  The beginning stage involves being born into this world and hopefully growing up to live a long, healthy, and enjoyable life. However, after the beginning and the in-between stage of life, there is an ending point.  No one knows when their time will arrive, but all of us will transition into death which will bring us to our eternal destination whether that be Heaven or Hell.

However, the topic of death is one that most do not wish to have. It is the very fact that death symbolizes a loss of life or the ceasing of one’s natural body in the state of living that makes it difficult to even ponder.  When we die, our Earthly body will return back into the ground and our spirit will return back to God. (Ecclesiastes 12:7) It is when a person dies, that life in the natural sense no longer exists. Some also consider death to be an experience in which our soul rests or sleeps.

As it relates to our spiritual well-being, there is a similar analogy that can be drawn to describe being alive in Christ or being dead in your sin. In the book of Ephesians chapter 2, the Apostle Paul brings this analogy to the attention of those in the church of Ephesus.  In the first part of this chapter, Paul uses language that suggests that those he was speaking to were in their sin but had been converted to a life with Jesus Christ.

Verses 1-3:

(NLT) “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.”

Paul says to those in Ephesus, “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.” What he is suggesting is that when you and I are in a state of sin, we are living in death.  To live in death is to be in a constant state of decay and lacking vitality. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death.  When Paul made that statement, it didn’t only mean a physical death but also a spiritual death.  To be spiritually dead is to be in a separated position from God who is the giver of life. 

There are many who are exhibiting what could be the same as a fictional portrayal of a zombie. Zombies are purely imaginative in their existence of entertainment. Horror movies and television shows have portrayed individuals who were supposed to be dead, and yet they could be seen walking around as a living person.  Many are living in this life unaware of the fact that while they are physically alive, they are spiritually dead. Spiritual deadness breeds corrosion and it begins to spread to various parts of your life. Why is it that some of the wealthiest individuals are also some of the most cantankerous and unfulfilled individuals?

The reason is because there is the absence of life in the spiritual sense.  The Apostle Paul in verse 2 goes on to say to those at Ephesus who had given their lives to Christ, that they were once ruled by satan.  Paul says, “He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.” When you are in a condition of spiritual deadness, it is satan who is at work in your heart. There are many who believe that we as humans have the ability to be ‘good people.’ However, because we are all born into sin, the element of ‘being good’ is not within our capability.  

By the world’s definition, ‘being a good person’ is strictly moral rather than it being based on godly principles and His virtues. Within ourselves we cannot ‘be good’ because it is our spiritual deadness that prohibits us from ever achieving life and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.  In the latter part of verse 3 Paul says, “By our very nature, we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.” The nature that Paul refers to is our sinful nature. It is because of our condition of being dead spiritually that we are unable to please God. 

Nevertheless, there is hope and it involves the spiritual awakening and revitalization that only Jesus Christ can give.  The Apostle Paul says in verses 4-6:

(NLT) “But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”

The fact is that before any of us can experience a spiritual resurrection, we must come to terms with the reality that we are spiritually dead.  That comes by making a decision once you have heard God’s truth.  The great thing about God is that He leaves no person without the knowledge of His truth.  It is up to all of us to decide whether we want to be alive or remain dead spiritually.

Paul says that God gave us life when Jesus was raised from the dead.  It is the grace of God that provides each person with the gift of eternal life. However, here is a key point of this scripture:

Verse 6:

“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”

If you are in Christ, you are now united with Christ which means that you have an inheritance that is given to you because you are in a relationship with Jesus Christ.  The keywords that support that are, “seated us with him in the heavenly realms.” So, when you and I are connected to Christ, not only do we gain life but we become beneficiaries of God’s blessings.

To be alive is to experience life in abundance both here on Earth and after our physical bodies have ceased from living.  There are many who are asleep or spiritually dead because they are in sin, however, Jesus Christ came so that you and I could have life.  Even those of us who are in Christ, we must ensure that we are constantly plugged into the power source.  It is possible to claim Christianity and yet be as dead as those who living in worldliness. 

It isn’t so much about claiming Christianity or stating that you are a Christian. The proof comes when you and I are in steady connection with God through Christ.  In doing so, our lives begin to exhibit the fruits of Spirit which comes from our daily walk with the Lord.  Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord & Savior? If you are walking in unrepentant sin, you are spiritually dead. However, Jesus came to give you life and life abundantly.  Accept His gift of life and be awakened and alive in Jesus Christ.

Your Inheritance Is Available to You – Know its Value and Accept the Gift

05 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Spiritual

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ID-10052834Most if not everyone wants to be a recipient of a fortune or treasure that is passed down within a family structure.  To receive something of value from someone who has passed it down to you in the event of their death is commonly known as an “inheritance”. Often, responsible families will incorporate a will which is in the form of a document. In this document, it is outlined as to who will receive items that are passed down from the person who will at some point pass away. An inheritance can be a large sum of money, a car, or a house.  It can be anything that holds intrinsic value.

Just like an inheritance within a family structure provides the chain of passing down items of value to succeeding generations, those who are in Christ are also heirs to the inheritance that God offers.  In Romans chapter 8, the Apostle Paul explains the inheritance that every Christian has if we are truly connected to God:

(NIV) Verses 14-17:

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

The main words to focus on in this scripture are, “heirs”, “God’s children”, and “share”. These words are associated with anyone who follows Christ, because once we are adopted into the family of God through Christ & the Holy Spirit, we become God’s children.  What does it mean to be a child of God? You can think of this in a similar context of being a son or a daughter to a Mother or a Father.

In the process of an inheritance, parents that truly love their children usually leave a legacy or something of value for the next generation. That is because the relationship between the child and parent warrants that there is a continuation of items of worth within the hands of those who are next in line.  God treats those who are His children in the same way.  All of us who are in Christ, we share in His blessings because we are heirs with God and joint heirs with Christ.  It is because we are in the family of God, that we have access to the blessings He wants to bestow upon us.

However, notice what Paul also says at the end of verse 17.  He says “if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Paul is talking about the sufferings of Christ.  To be a Christian isn’t to simply claim the title, but it is to suffer as Christ did for the sake of God.  Just as we will be recipients of the blessings of God, we will also be recipients of momentary suffering for Christ’s sake.  

As mentioned, we who are in Christ have access to the inheritance that God wants to give to us.  It is the element of passing down gifts and items of value that God wishes to provide to every person who follows Him.  However, there is one thing that all Christians must be responsible for and that is maintaining our inheritance.  It is quite possible to reject what is being given to you by giving your inheritance to someone else in exchange for what appears to be a better deal.

In our society today, there are many who constantly squander their inheritance because they are living in sin and disobedience.  God wishes that all people come to know Him and to give them a blessed existence.  However, because many don’t know that an inheritance is accessible to them through Christ, they are giving their inheritance away on a daily basis.  This is just what Esau did with Jacob in the Old Testament.

In Genesis chapter 25, the birth of Jacob and Esau is recorded in verses 24-25. Jacob and Esau were individuals who the Lord had given as a prophecy to their mother Rebekah.  They were also two individuals that were inherently different in their character and in their behavior. Esau was originally given the birthright because he was the first-born.  A birthright simply meant that a son who was born first was given the same authority that the Father had upon his death.  So, Esau would possess the authority and other assets given to him by his Father, because he was born first.

Notice in verses 25-26 that there was a struggle between Esau and Jacob as they exited their Mother’s womb: (NIV) “The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob.” We can see that Jacob held onto Esau’s heel with the intent to steal his birthright even before he was born.

As the two grew older, there was another point in time in which Jacob had another opportunity to steal his brother’s birthright. In verses 29-33 we see the following exchange:

(NIV) “Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom. Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.” 

So, essentially Esau sold his birthright for stew. There are two things that we can gather from this:

1. Esau did not know or care about the value of his birthright – There are many who live their lives in sin, not knowing the value of the inheritance that God offers.  By being in Christ you are able to receive God’s blessings.  However, when we sin we are trading in our inheritance for something that is worthless and perishable.

2. Esau was willing to do anything to feed his appetite – The scripture says that Esau was hungry – so hungry that he gave away his inheritance. Sometimes it is quite easy to give away your inheritance for a moment of sin.  All of us have various appetites that are driven by our flesh, but if we are not careful, we can give our inheritance away for a moment of sin that is fleeting.

The point to be made is that when we come to know who God is in the pardon of our sins, we have access to an inheritance.  God has so much in store for you and I, but we must be willing to see the value of His blessings.  If you are in sin, you are giving up your inheritance for momentary pleasure.  Christ died and rose again so you could be a joint heir with Him.  Accept Christ as your Lord and savior by repenting of your sins. Once you have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice, you are welcomed into the family of God where your inheritance is waiting for you.