All of us inherit something. It may simply be our genetic makeup, which determines the color of our eyes, hair, etc. We inherit those things from our biological parents. We may be fortunate enough to inherit some form of worldly goods from those who are deceased. That is usually the context in which we think of inheritance. Today I will be looking at an inheritance like no other. It is one where the benefactor does not die, yet he provides an inheritance that is greater than any other. It is an inheritance I and other Christians will inherit when we decease! We leave this world to gain another. In the theological sense, to inherit means to “receive an irrevocable gift” with an emphasis on the special relationship between the benefactor and the recipients.
In I Peter 1:4, we find a description of our inheritance. It is so good, as the saying goes, it sounds too good to be true, and if it were based on earthly things, I would say that is true. However, this is an inheritance set up by God, and everything He does is perfect. No details are afterthoughts, nor are they half done.
I Peter 1:4 “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”
- It is incorruptible. We have nothing on this earth that is incorruptible. This idea seems so unbelievable to us because everywhere we look we see decay and destruction. Yet, our inheritance from God is perfect, and it can never be destroyed. It is made by God for us, His children.
- It is also undefiled. To defile something is to make it impure. To desecrate it in some form. We are defiled from birth because of our sinful nature, which we inherited from Adam. No longer will we be defiled, neither will anything we inherit be defiled in Heaven. It was sin that brought defilement to this earth and sin will be nonexistent in Heaven.
Revelation 21:27 “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
This inheritance will not diminish or fade away. It’s not like the inheritance we gain from others where we use it up. It will never change. All that we know on this earth changes with time. As things get older they go through different stages of change. Our bodies mature, and we gain independence from our parents taking care of our basic needs. Then as we age, we repeat the cycle of dependence on others. This will never happen to the inheritance we gain after we die. There is no change, no decaying, and no getting better. It is perfect from the beginning and there is no end.
We honestly can’t imagine this type of inheritance, because it is so different from anything we have ever known. The older I get the more I think about it, and the more I think about it, the more mind-boggling it becomes. I know how hard it is to give up loved ones and friends. I’ve had my share of loss, but I find great comfort in knowing that those I have had to give up were Christians. Knowing they have attained their inheritance brings great joy to my soul. Do I miss them, of course, but I could never wish them back from what they have gained? I’m looking with great anticipation to the day I will gain my inheritance. First, I want to see Jesus, the one who made this inheritance possible for me. Then I want to experience all that He has prepared for me with those who have gone before me. What a day that will be!!!!!! There are no words to adequately describe what it will be like for the believer.
Excellent