We are going to continue looking at what it means to be heirs with Christ. Romans tells us:
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:16-17 (ESV)
Last week we discussed our inheritance of the realms of God. Today, we are going to look at our inheritance as free from the bonds that once enslaved us.
No Longer Slaves
Here’s the good news! When you become a son of God you are no longer a slave to the world and its system.
“And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:6-7 (ESV)
You are no longer enslaved to fear, anxiety, and lack. No, your inheritance as a son of God is peace and provision. You can trust that the God who conquered sin and death, is the same God who sets you free from all those things that once held you in bondage. Remember Jesus came to give us life and life abundantly. We don’t have to wait to die to live the abundant life. The abundance of provision and peace are yours right here, right now. You simply need to accept this inheritance and go live in the realm of provision and peace.
How the Enemy Tries to Kill Your Inheritance
Here’s the thing, the enemy doesn’t want you to receive your inheritance.
No, the enemy wants nothing more than to hold you as prisoner so he can control and manipulate you into believing God isn’t your provider or source of peace. Ultimately the enemy wants to kill the heirs, that’s you, and steal your inheritance.
“Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
Again he sent other servants, more than the first. And they did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.’
And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” They said to him, “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.” Matthew 21:33-41 (ESV)
Of course, Jesus was talking about himself as the heir in this parable. He was informing everyone there that the tenants, the religious leaders, would take the heir, Jesus and kill him so they could steal his inheritance.
Remember what our key verse is:
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:16-17 (ESV)
If you are an heir with Jesus, you will also suffer with Jesus in order to be glorified with him. If the enemies of Jesus wanted to kill him and steal his inheritance, how much more do you think the enemy wants to steal your inheritance and take it for their own?
The enemy would love to steal your peace and live in peace even if just for a fleeting moment. Remember the enemy once knew life filled with Jehovah Shalom. I’m certain he still longs for that peace.
Furthermore, the enemy wants nothing more than to steal all the provision God has for you. Whatever the provision Jehovah Jireh has, is highly desired for the enemy. If they can steal your provision, then they feel like they have won against God himself.
It’s Not About Hurting You
It’s not really about hurting you, but it’s really about hurting God. You see, as a parent I can attest that if someone really wanted to hurt me they would hurt my kids.
The same goes with our Heavenly Father. When the enemy hurts one of his kids, he hurts alongside us. We are not left to suffer alone.
The one thing the enemy always fails to remember and understand is that when he comes against the sons of God, he may hurt us for a time, but the end result is we come out as more than conquerors, and through the attack from the enemy we become stronger. We become spiritually stronger and physically stronger. It is through the struggles we learn:
“So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”” Hebrews 13:6 (ESV)
We all Face Rejection
There have been many times in my life where close friends and family have turned their backs on me and completely rejected me. Each time this happens, the desired effect from the enemy becomes less and less.
The first time this happened it was extremely painful. I didn’t understand why or how this could happen to me when I am one of the most loyal and trustworthy friends anybody could have.
After a few iterations I learned that these people aren’t rejecting me, but they are rejecting the work of God in me. They couldn’t stand the fact that I was growing and maturing as a son of God, and did the only thing they knew, run in the opposite direction.
Now, I actually get excited when this type of persecution comes my way. I have learned that this means that the Lord is getting ready to upgrade me and strengthen me to be even stronger in his kingdom.
Don’t get me wrong, it still hurts when people who have said they love me and claim to know me accuse me of falsehoods. I trust that the Lord will work in them and I pray for God to bless those who curse me.
Next week, we will conclude this series with a look at the inheritance that peacemakers will receive. I hope you will join me!
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