Inheritance

Inheritance

Greek  – κληρονομία

Strong’s Greek and Hebrew Dictionary From (kleronomos); heirship, i.e. (concrete) a patrimony or (genitive) a possession :- inheritance.

Merriam-Webster n. An estate derived from an ancestor to an heir by succession or in course of law; or an estate, which the law casts on a child or other person, as the representative of the deceased ancestor.

The tapestry of our relationship with Christ grows through the adding of terms, which weave new meanings for us. This is another word, which holds great promise for the believer.

In the legal usage of inheritance, it’s a fulfillment of the deceased person’s will to distribute his estate to anyone he chooses. Our normal thinking is that the person to receive the estate would be a relative, especially a child or grandchild. For the heir to receive any distribution the person with the estate must die.

In the theological usage an integral component of the secular definition of an inheritance is fulfilled through Christ’s death and is precursor to the availability of salvation; it is only through his sacrifice that κληρονομία is possible. In this use, to inherit means to “receive an irrevocable gift” with an emphasis on the special relationship between the benefactor and the recipients. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Hebrews 9:16-17 (KJV)

The Paul uses the word “inheritance” more than any other New Testament writer does, but he never states exactly what constitutes the believer’s inheritance of the kingdom, only asserting that unbelievers will not inherit the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:5). It is easy to conjecture about the inheritance, but here is where we must look at what the Word says about it.

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: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:11-14 (KJV) Here it clearly shows that the inheritance is for those who trust in Christ and receive the Holy Spirit, which is a pledge of the inheritance. This would indicate that we receive the full inheritance at a future date. Now we have the Holy Spirit here with us as the promise of a future inheritance.

Peter explains it as to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:4 (KJV). Here he is clear that God has reserved the inheritance in heaven for us.

Jesus said, And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. Matthew 19:29 (KJV) Through Jesus we inherit salvation or everlasting life.

The spiritual inheritance is possible only through Christ’s death and resurrection on the cross; however, it can only become inherited through the personal decision of one to enter into a personal relationship with Christ. The word inheritance obviously continues to describe an inheritance of salvation. God does not give this inheritance selectively to an elect however. Instead, He makes this inheritance readily available to all through Christ.

And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. Numbers 18:20 (KJV). For the people of Israel, their inheritance was the land of promise. Each received a portion as their own. Aaron and his sons—the priests, had no inheritance in the land of Israel. God was their inheritance.

We too have an inheritance of land in heaven. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2 (KJV) And confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hebrews 11:13 (KJV) We have an inheritance in heaven.

Look at Revelation 1:6. And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. God has made us priests, therefore our inheritance is not in earthly things, but God is our inheritance. For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Philippians 3:20 (KJV) Our inheritance is in the Savior as children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; Romans 8:17 (KJV)

 Our inheritance is a gift laid up for us to enjoy throughout the ages. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 (NKJV) Yet we are also joint-heirs with Jesus now. All that He has given us we have inherited through His grace. As Jesus is so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17. We have everything He went to the cross to provide for us. Everything pertaining to life and godliness. 2 Peter 1:3 This is our inheritance–grace.