The secularization of the Gospel has lead to an ignorance of the glories inherent to Christianity. This perverting of the Good News leads to an obfuscation that wickedly disguises the glories inherent to the faith. It is no wonder many self-avowed believers lack the fervor and fruitfulness that our spiritual ancestors demonstrated. Hence, it is important that the disciple fully understand the marvelous and glorious promises our Lord has so gracefully bequeathed upon His children. This serves a factor that motivates Christian growth and faithfulness. Consider what Paul writes to the Ephesian church, 1st chapter:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved…11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest (other versions use the phrase “down payment” or “first installment” here) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Throughout the Scriptures, a recurring theme occurs – that of inheritance. Examples include Israel being given the promised land, divided among the tribes, as an inheritance (Deuteronomy 4:21, 38; Judges 2:6), God’s children, Israel first and then those who believe in Christ, are His inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:9; Ephesians 5:27), those who believe on Christ obtain the inheritance of eternal life (Hebrews 9:15) and Christ the Son who is given dominion over all things because of His obedience as an heir (Hebrews 1:2).
Herein lies the problem: Just like Israel via disobedience despised all that God has done for them and granted them (Hebrews 3:7-11), Christians tend to live likewise, in a manner that doesn’t take these wonderful promises and benefits into account, shunning them in favor of the world’s empty promises and the death that follows. The result is not living in a preparatory manner to receive the fullness of the inheritance whilst also enjoying those parts of the same which God has given us in advance. It’s akin to the despising and underestimating attitude demonstrated by the prodigal son in Luke 15.
Consider just some of the blessings God has bestowed upon us as heirs in the faith:
– Mercy in the time of need
– Eternal life and freedom from eternal damnation
– Justification via grace (no attribution of sinfulness)
– Both spiritual and physical blessings
– Knowledge and discernment to enjoy liberty in all things
If we diligently seek to demonstrate ourselves as responsible heirs, then it is important that we adopt and attitude that values our inheritance and never squanders it by trading it in for the worthless things of the world. This is similar to what was happening to the Galatians: they received the Gospel and the eternal promises attached to it when they first believed, but then began to waste it all in favor of a system inferior to grace. (Galatians 4:1-9)