HEAVENLY FATHER’S INHERITANCE

And there I was, sitting alone in the middle of the woods. A simple pull of the trigger would instantly validate my feelings of worthlessness. Moments earlier, I angrily marched out of the house, rifle in hand. I needed a moment, and the woods were my refuge. I was 17 years old. In the gravel driveway, I veered towards the tree line, when BAM! The 2×4 board sticking out of the bed of my dad’s pickup hit my temple full-on! Amidst seeing stars and my disorientation from the stinging blow, I heard my dad’s chuckle. The laugh added to my pain. Maybe the ordeal was comedic. Or maybe my dad hated me, just like God hated me, and was happy to see my life miserable.

Such were the voices in my head and the truth I believed at that moment. I was a worthless piece of garbage! Worthlessness meant hopelessness, and that meant, “What’s the point of living?” This wouldn’t be the last time I felt these overwhelming emotions.

But even amid chaotic emotions, there is the constant and steadfast LOVE OF GOD! He is ever reaching into the deepest, darkest places.

An ongoing theme in my life is the continual revelation of God’s love. A love so deep He paid the highest possible price to demonstrate through His sacrifice, MY VALUE! When worthlessness rears its ugly face, Father’s love intercepts and reveals my reflection in Jesus’ eyes. My reflection is like GOLD. My value is through the roof! He sees more in me than I can see in myself.

YOU are the treasure God gets from the price that He paid for you! YOU are His reward. His prize. His pearl of great price. And, footnote: God does not have buyer’s remorse!

In past posts you have received, we have uncovered some of the key elements of our identity in Jesus. We are CHOSEN, ADOPTED, ACCEPTED, REDEEMED, FORGIVEN, and ENTRUSTED. We have inherited the fullness of God in Jesus. All the Father gave to Jesus is ours too. We are heirs of God the Father and joint heirs with Christ (our brother), because of the family relationship. It is a condition of the covenant in Christ’s blood. We have a divine inheritance!

But here is what I want to point out in this next description of our identity in Jesus.

Looking into the eyes of Jesus, I see my TRUE reflection – a priceless treasure! God’s invaluable inheritance!

“In Christ, we too have been claimed as God’s own possession [heritage], since we were predestined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will…” Ephesians 1:11 (NET)

I was surprised and excited to discover that this verse is translated in primarily two different ways.

1. “We have obtained an inheritance.”
2. “In whom also we were made a heritage” or “claimed as God’s own possession.”

Let’s focus on the second meaning which I believe is more in keeping with the context in Ephesians 1:11.

God has claimed YOU as His inheritance!

The following expert from a sermon by Casey Gray explains this verse clearly:

“I want to turn your attention to a repeated phrase throughout this sentence. In 4-5, he says God chose us and predestined us “according to the purpose of his will.” In verses 7-9, he says he redeemed us and lavished us with grace, with wisdom and insight, “according to the purpose of his will.” Now, we reach the crescendo. He says if this interpretation is correct, that God has appointed us to be his inheritance like Israel was his inheritance [Deuteronomy 4:20] “according to the purpose of his will.” Then it says, “He works all things according to the counsel of his will.” When you see that repeated idea, I think it becomes clear that this sentence is more about God accomplishing his will than about us receiving what we want. Don’t get me wrong. We have an inheritance—verse 14 points to that. But verse 11 says that we belong to God as his inheritance.”

~ Casey Gray, www.Saralandchristians.com

It is a beautiful thing to have an inheritance from our Heavenly Father. But, for us to be considered His inheritance? Now that speaks to how valuable we must be. It is more about WHO we are, than what we get. It is more about WHO God is, than what He gives.

And crazy thought, but how can we be God’s inheritance when everything in heaven and earth belongs to Him (Deut. 10:14). What can He possibly need? What does He want that He does not already have? After all, Psalm 50:10-12 describes His possession in detail and makes the statement, “If I [God] were hungry, I would not tell you…”

So, what does He long for? Good question, right?

Simply answered, He wants YOU! ME! FAMILY! His inheritance — how much more valuable can you be?

Jesus came to earth, born a man so He could inherit mankind as His reward via the price He paid for our redemption and adoption. He appointed you to be His inheritance so that in Jesus you could receive the Father’s inheritance!

It’s a mind-twister and a heart-changer.

He predetermined this relationship with you. He purposed it according to His will. And we see in the verses before that it was according to His GOOD PLEASURE! This is delightful to Him.

This is what gets me.

I am so treasured by God, that considering all of His creation, He chose me to be His inheritance! That I am His prize! I bring Him joy! I complete His “need”! I am the fulfillment of His purpose set forth at the very beginning of time! Take that, lies of worthlessness!

YOU are His family TREASURE! That is WHO you are! YOU are His most valuable possession! You are His HERITAGE, purchased by Jesus’ blood, and legalized in the new covenant.

I can sit alone in the woods and dwell on the lie that my life means little. I can look at my failures, shortcomings, inadequacies, and festering wounds and buy into the lie that I am unworthy of God’s affection.

Or I can choose to believe and walk in the truth. Looking into the eyes of Jesus, I see my TRUE reflection – a priceless treasure! God’s invaluable inheritance!

“Reflection”