1 Corinthians 15:50 “I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.”
Have you ever noticed that there are certain patterns in God’s Word that seem to repeat themselves? One such pattern is how God views birthrights or blessings to offspring.
An ancient birthright was a special inheritance and privilege due to the firstborn son, typically including a double portion of the estate, family leadership, and spiritual authority. It was not uncommon for a patriarch to bless the firstborn son and issue a proclamation of blessing before their death. What is uncommon, was how God viewed that birthright tradition and the patterns of God’s blessing.
In the Bible we witness patterns of blessing that focuses less on birthright and more towards the heart. Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Ephraim and Manasseh, the pattern continues with how David was recognized over his older brothers or how Solomon received the kingship over his older brothers.
Why do you suppose God placed such little significance on birthright? Could it be that the blessings of God through Christ are focused less on birthright and more on adoption?
If we look at God’s traditional birthright, Israel would be likened to a firstborn son. God undoubtedly blessed Israel through the centuries and He patiently called to her when she digressed into rebellion. Even today, much end times prophecy is centered on Israel and the way the anti-christ figure both deceives and eventually attempts to destroy Israel. Does this mean that Israel receives all of the blessing?
Listen to the way Peter described the inheritance today….
1 Peter 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Peter’s letter was written to all the christians who had been scattered throughout the regions. The persecution of Rome had driven people from their hometowns and out to the world. God used the dispersion to spread the gospel far and wide. The temptation to despair would have been evident, and the allure to fear would have been palpable.
The message was one of hope.
The hope of Christ is not an ancient outdated promise that seems irrelevant today, but is a living hope that endures up until the present hour. Because Jesus lives, our hope lives as well.
What is the inheritance that Peter alludes to?
Well, we know from the description that it is imperishable, or in other words, it isn’t prone to destruction. It is also undefiled, which can be described as pure and holy. It is unfading, describing a hope that is as complete as the day it was issued. It is stored in a place that is secure, in Heaven, awaiting the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom. Protected by God’s power, established in faith, manifesting in a salvation that will be revealed in the last days.
By the description of Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the inheritance of the Saints is so determined that nothing in all of Creation can change it.
So who is guaranteed so great of an inheritance?
Romans 8:17 “And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
The people of God are the rightful heirs of the inheritance.
For those who have believed in Christ and repented of their sins, the promise of the Holy Spirit is given as a reminder of what is to come.
The inheritance is not just some form of currency, or livestock, it is far greater than these. We gain some clue as to what it looks like, but it is only a glimpse of what is to come.
- A place to dwell, prepared by God for those who love Him. (John 14:2-3)
- A new body, undefiled, made in the image of Christ’s perfection. (2 Corinthians 5:1, 1 John 3:2)
- Crowns of reward that recognizes faithfulness. (James 1:12, 2 Timothy 4:8)
- Eternal life (Titus 3:7)
- Eternal blessings (Hebrews 9:15)
- Faith, Hope, and Love (Colossians 1:5)
- Heirs with God’s Son (Galatias 3:29)
- Jesus, our greatest reward. (Philippians 3:20-21)
This sampling of God’s inheritance is but a dim reflection of its magnitude. There is so much that God has in store for His people, they have many reasons to persevere. Life is way shorter than people realize and the riches of the world are counted as worthless compared to the surpassing greatness of God’s promises.
Why do we strive so hard to hold onto stuff that is temporary, corrupted, and defiled? Why do we concern ourselves with long life or good health?
If we maintain a right perspective, we would view life through a heavenly lens. Seeing others as God sees them, and measuring our response to God’s expectations.
The One who holds all of life in His hands, also holds our future. That should give you a sense of comfort…that is, if your trust is in Him.
U.T. 