INHERITANCE: INCORRUPTIBLE; UNDEFILED; UNFADING; RESERVED. 

Peter wrote that ‘our living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade away and reserved in heaven for you.’ (1Peter 1:5) This endowment enriches immensely.
Third world believers in the Lord Jesus, if economically deprived, are spiritual heirs of God and of Christ.  Many saints in well -developed countries may be poor in earthly possessions, but eternally wealthy. Let’s consider our heritage.

 Our legacy is that eternal quality which is consummated when the Lord is King.  Many individuals will share that enrichment. Our inheritance is incorruptible; resisting decay or corruption, and is imperishable and immortal.  The scriptures support this: ‘Athletes compete for a corruptible crown’, but Paul says’ we strive for an incorruptible crown.’  ( 1 Corinth 9:25 ) He writes of the Lord’s second coming, ‘In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet, the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raise incorruptible, and we shall be changed,’  Glorious promise ( 1 Corinth 15:52).  Our bodies will miraculously be indestructible
(imperishable) just as our heritage has enriched us in a new birth.    

Our inheritance is also undefiled or unsoiled. No one can challenge our right to this rare jewel. Neither is it deformed or grotesque; nor is it debased, as though any could devalue this glorious inheritance. John wrote in the Revelation 21:27 ‘There shall by no means enter this New Jerusalem  anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.’  An unsoiled inheritance is fitting only for those with unspotted garment, washed in Christ’s precious blood, and possessing an enduring, resurrection body. 

This inheritance does not fade; it is enduring. Perennial flowers appeal for their continuing blooming, like the inheritance the Lord gives. Isaiah expressed this,
‘The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it.’  Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands for ever. (Isaiah 40; 7, 8) Our priceless inheritance is perennial, secured by the unfading Word of the Lord. Peter wrote that ‘When the chief Shepherd shall appear, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.’ (1Peter 5:4) Our inheritance does not wilt or shrivel with time- indeed, it is sustained throughout eternity. Be sure you enjoy this special provision of our God.

Paul fare-welled the elders of Ephesus with the striking, ‘And now, brethren, I commend you to God and the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified.’(Acts 20; 28)  He went on to tell, ‘That he had coveted no man’s silver or gold or apparel.’ Paul contrasted the eternal God and the living word with the tawdry metals and attire that dominated many. He had received his character and quality of life from the Lord of glory. Twenty centuries later we applaud Paul and the God who provided his inheritance.

Paul recounted his dramatic conversion of Christ to King Agrippa, in Acts 26:18, ‘ I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God, (for the holy purpose) to receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’ Oxford dictionary describes inheritance ‘as receiving property, rank or title.’  Paul inherited the eternal status of a child of the King; he became an ambassador to the Lord of glory and bore the title of an apostle, chosen to proclaim his Lord. What an inheritance!

The eternal God has His own inheritance in the redeemed life of each believer. This is not known or appreciated by the Lord’s people. We indulgently estimate our share of the blessing, forgetting the Lord’s inheritance is in His redeemed. Paul wrote, ‘That the eyes of your understanding being enlightened that you may know the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.’ Ephesians 1:18. We are so valuable to the Lord as those converted and liberated, that He regards us as His riches in glory; and born again believers in every nation, tribe, language and people are His inheritance.  In Chinese house churches are 130 million believers. What an inheritance for our conquering Lord. In Nagaland, North West India, 99% love our Lord and His missionary plan for the nations.  Our God treasures every Chinese and Naga saint. You, too.

Paul said, ‘We are to thank the Father, because HE has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.’ Colossians 1:15. How did the Father qualify us for such an elevated position?  Paul responds, ‘He has delivered us from the power of darkness (bless the Lord that the venom of satanic darkness has been detoxified) and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.’ Here we were received with liberty and dignity; as when our family arrived in Singapore after living in another nation of limited freedom and acceptance.  By this means the father prepared us for our rich inheritance in HIM.

That’s not all: ‘In the dear Son of his love, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.’ No one apart from the Father could have qualified us for such an inheritance, demanding release from darkness, translation to His kingdom, redemption through the blood-shedding at the cross, and the grant of pardon from our sins. Our inheritance is more valuable than man’s treasures.

Our eternal inheritance is dependent upon the blood of the Lord. ‘How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death (oh, how the Calvary work of Christ dominates scripture) for redemption, that those who are called should receive the promise of eternal inheritance.’ (Hebrews 9:14)

Have you blessed your Lord for the eternally rich inheritance you possess?
                           You are infinitely, perpetually, spiritually wealthy!