OUR SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE

Blessed be the God and Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His

great mercy has caused us to be born again

to a living hope through the resurrection of

Jesus Christ from the dead,

to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable

and undefiled and will not fade away,

reserved in heaven for you,

who are protected by the power of God

through faith for a salvation ready to be

revealed in the last time.

I Peter 1:3-5

While a kid watching our black and white television screen, I was fascinated by a program entitled “The Millionaire.” I think there have since been remakes of this program, but it doesn't hold the mystic for me like it did then. With every program, an assistant was called into the den of his boss. With few words, the assistant was handed an envelope with a name on it. He was to deliver that envelope to that person. In that envelope was a cashier's check for one million dollars. Back then, millionaires were only in our imaginations. It was nothing like now. The assistant did as ordered, knocking on the appropriate door and handing the envelope to the proven intended receiver. The story went from there after the shock of the receiver and we followed what happened with that money. It usually went to someone who had great need or circumstances.

The above wasn't exactly an inheritance, I realize, but something similar has happened in the lives of genuine heirs. Most people know if their name can be found in the will or a relative or friend so there may not be any surprises about that. There are people who learn by some legal source that they have something coming to them because of the death of someone who may been a total stranger to them.

I found it interesting in my reading how Peter opened his book with the good news of an inheritance that is coming to God's people. To receive anything from another's will, there has to have been a death. The wonderful thing about Jesus' death is that He rose again and still when we die, we will share in an inheritance that can't be explained in words. In this case though, every human being will not be receivers. There is the requirement of a relationship with Jesus for that inheritance to be valid. Jesus according to verse three made all of this possible. As born again people, we are family and entitled to His riches in glory. How wonderful that is!

Our will is described in four words that all have to do with security. There are things in our day that can go wrong with wills. They may be contested. If that doesn't happen, whatever is received is only temporary, not meant for eternity. As we have learned, we can't take it with us. With God's inheritance for us, it's in our future and we will get it at a time and place that has true meaning in our lives...Heaven with the Giver. So how does Peter describe this more than wonderful inheritance?

*Imperishable: This inheritance can't be destroyed. It won't spoil, mold, rust or in any way come to nothing.

*Undefiled: Pure in every way.

*Won't fade: Won't disappear

*Reserved: This is for true heirs only...God's true believing children.

There may be people who fill out their wills when in good financial or material shape. My name could be on that will as an heir. When the time would come upon the death of the writer, they might be broke, item promised can't be found. If I had been advised of my being an heir, the person could have removed me from their will without telling me. For now, it's all so very earthly. As God's children, He has so much that awaits us that will be more than we can wrap our minds around.

This wonderful inheritance God is providing needs no notary signature. The only stamp to be found on this inheritance is in the blood of Jesus and is protected by the power of God meant only for His born again children.

Dear Father...thank You for my every provision on this earth. I know from Your Word that You have even more in store for me in the future than I can imagine. Your greatest gift to me, though, was Jesus and all He has done in my life. He is my great reward in my present days and can hardly wait to be in His presence. I love and appreciate You and pray these things in Jesus' precious name...Amen