Claiming Our Inheritance: Unpacking the Blessings of God

As followers of Christ, we are not merely forgiven sinners bound for heaven. We are heirs and equals with Jesus Christ. This means we have been granted access to unimaginable riches and boundless blessings by our Heavenly Father. The pivotal question that remains is: Are you actively embracing the inheritance bestowed upon you by God?

What Does It Really Mean to Be an Heir?

In natural terms, an heir is someone who inherits property or money from a deceased individual. However, as children of God, we are not waiting for our Heavenly Father's demise, for He is eternal. The New Testament's Greek term for heir denotes someone who shares in a portion, inherits, possesses, and partakes in God's blessings.

This inheritance includes entitlement to the heavenly kingdom and all its associated privileges. As co-heirs with Christ, we share the same assurances, advantages, and privileges that Jesus has received from the Father.

A Comprehensive View of the Gospel

The Gospel transcends mere good news—it embodies the power of God for salvation. In line with Galatians 3:8, God announced the Gospel to Abraham, assuring that through his descendants, all nations would receive blessings. Consequently, all the blessings bestowed upon Abraham are also extended to us as believers.

Analyzing Abraham's Blessings

A scrutiny of Abraham's life in Genesis reveals that he was blessed with:

Considerable wealth in cattle, silver, and gold

Triumph over adversaries

Multiplication and fertility

Land and real estate ownership

Dominion and influence (kings stemmed from his lineage)

Servants and livestock

Longevity and good health

Offspring in old age

Significantly absent from Abraham's life were poverty, illness, infirmity, or scarcity. These very blessings are our portion as we are also blessed with faithful Abraham (Galatians 3:9).

Breaking Down the Concept of Salvation

Salvation surpasses mere absolution of sins and eternal life. According to scriptural scholars, the original Greek and Hebrew meanings of salvation encompass safety, preservation, healing, and wholeness—integrity in mind, body, and emotions.

Salvation emerges as the all-encompassing term of the Gospel, encapsulating all redemptive actions and processes like justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, sanctification, and glorification.

The Three Phases of Salvation

Justification (Past): We have been liberated from the guilt and punishment of sin

Sanctification (Present): We are progressively delivered from the pattern and dominion of sin

Glorification (Future): We will be entirely conformed to Christ

Obstacles Hindering Believers From Experiencing Their Inheritance

The blessings of the Christian life do not automatically materialize. Analogous to the Israelites who had to seize and inhabit the Promised Land, we must assertively claim our spiritual inheritance. Numerous believers reside below their privileges owing to a failure to comprehend their entitlement or a lack of faith in appropriating it.

The Peril of Fear and Disbelief

During the twelve spies' reconnaissance of the Promised Land, ten returned with a pessimistic report fixated on the giants and barriers. Solely Joshua and Caleb believed in God's promise. The majority's fear and disbelief barred an entire generation from accessing their inheritance.

Likewise, Satan exploits fear, uncertainty, and deceptive symptoms to convince believers that they are incapable of attaining what God has already provided. While he might not deter you from embracing Christianity, he will endeavor to impede you from living triumphantly.

Asserting Your Inheritance Vigorously

Quoting Matthew 11:12, Jesus asserted, The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. This doesn't endorse physical aggression but rather a resolute, unwavering faith that refuses to be disillusioned.

The term force means to seize, strive for, and secure by force. It indicates an agitated mental state—marked by eagerness for blessings and relentless pursuit of what God has pledged.

Engaging in the Faithful Struggle

Each believer is summoned to engage in the faithful struggle, which involves maintaining allegiance to Jesus Christ throughout our Christian journey. This struggle is not exclusive to super Christians—it pertains to every genuine believer.

Our principal adversaries include:

The worldly system

The flesh (our baser nature)

The devil (a vanquished adversary)

Yet, through Christ's love, we are more than conquerors. We are victors, and it is our faith that substantiates this victory over the world.

Practical Strategies to Claim Your Inheritance

Relinquish Your Worries to God

In accordance with 1 Peter 5:7, divest yourself of all your anxieties on God for He is concerned about you to the fullest extent. Cease fixating on your troubles; unnecessary worry is akin to fleeting motion in a rocking chair.

Stay Alert and Confront the Adversary

Maintain sobriety and vigilance as the devil, your adversary, prowls like a roaring lion searching for vulnerabilities. Remember, he is not a fearless lion but merely mimics one. Jesus embodies the Lion of Judah and has already vanquished Satan on the cross.

Demonstrate Unwavering Faith

Stand firm in faith against the adversary, recognizing that believers worldwide confront analogous challenges. The key is to keep your spiritual armor intact continuously and derive strength from scripture.

Real-Time Application

Over the forthcoming week, scrutinize your spiritual inheritance carefully. Refrain from accepting substandard living conditions as a child of God. Instead of focusing on circumstances, symptoms, or hindrances, start verbally affirming what God's Word proclaims concerning your predicament. Recollect that you are an heir and co-heir with Christ—behave accordingly.

In times of adversity, resist receding in fear akin to the ten apprehensive spies. Emulate Joshua and Caleb's affirmative stance who declared, We are well able to take the land! Your inheritance encompasses healing, sustenance, victory, and abundant living. These are not future pledges but existing realities awaiting your faith-led embrace.

Probe Into the Following Queries:

In what aspects of my life am I acquiescing to a less-than-optimal lifestyle as a child of God?

What apprehensions or misgivings are obstructing me from realizing my entire inheritance?

In what manner can I exhibit more fervent faith this week, seizing my blessings proactively?

Which precise promises from God's Word ought to serve as my foundation and declaration concerning my situation?