Whether or not salvation becomes a thing of inheritance depends on us. Jesus has finished his excellent work of salvation on the cross. He has opened for us access to the throne of God for us to live with him in eternity. 1 Thessalonians 5: 9-10 say for God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so whether we wake or sleep we might live with him.
God through Christ Jesus has also guaranteed his promise of salvation as an inheritance on terms and conditions. It is ours to accept for a reward or to reject and face the consequences. Scripture abounds with plethora of how to maintain our inheritance and what irrevocable guarantees we have from God.
Can we maintain our inheritance?
Once God has through Christ Jesus given us an inheritance, he has surely given us what it takes to preserve or to maintain it for our good and to his glory and honour and of our Father in heaven. Jesus said in Matthew 3:2 repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. If we lose our inheritance, we cannot enter into the kingdom of God because we would be disqualified as citizens of heaven. Matthew 3:8 therefore says bear fruit that befits repentance. Mark 1:15 says repent and believe in the gospel.
Matthew 11:28 says come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Romans 2: 13 says be doers of the word, not only hearers. In other words we are called to lead practical Christian lives, not shaded lives in darkness and in secret. Matthew 7:21 says not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 6:33 says seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. How we prioritize our lives will determine the success of our inheritance.
Christ came to seek the lost
Jesus said in Luke 19:10 for the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost. Jesus said in John 10:10, I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly. Jesus has made the inheritance of salvation available to all of us if we will live up to expectation. Romans 5:8 says while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Paul says further in 2 Corinthians 5: 15 that Christ died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Christ died for us
1 Peter 3: 18 says Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. Christ Jesus does not need to die again for us and likewise we do not need to go back to sin. Jesus guarantees eternal through salvation of the soul for he has said in John 11:25-26, whoever believes in me though he dies, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.
Having faith and belief
Jesus guarantees our inheritance in John 3: 36 that he who believes in the Son has eternal life, he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him. Belief and obedience to Christ Jesus is the key to preservation of the soul. John 6: 47-48 also says truly, truly I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. In truth he says in John 3: 18 that he who believes in me is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Being hearers and doers
Regarding God’s guarantee against judgment upon our attaining inheritance of salvation, Jesus said in John 5: 24 truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. To live in Christ Jesus is to have our sure guarantee of his eternal inheritance. Jesus said in John 15: 6-7, if a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
Being faithful to God
As another guarantee of our spiritual sustenance, Jesus assures us in Revelation 2:10 to be faithful unto death and he will give us the crown of life. Faithfulness means abstaining from unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Let us not remain in sin so we would lose our inheritance in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 say do you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Walking in the spirit
Galatians 5: 19-21 talk about the works of the flesh whilst Galatians 5: 22-23 talk about the fruit of the spirit. These are relevant to our knowledge if we are minded to maintain our inheritance in Christ Jesus. Galatians 5: 22-26 say those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the spirit, let us also walk by the spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.
What is the state of our inheritance in Christ Jesus if we should be called home now? Ephesians 5: 15-17 say look carefully at how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, I cannot preserve my inheritance in you without your grace. Every step along the way in this life is by your grace. My spirit yearns for you to lead me in righteousness and to quench my thirst for holiness so I may not lose my inheritance. Heal my unfaithfulness so I would be a doer and not only a hearer of your word. Wash me in your blood and save my soul today, Amen!!
