It's A Question Of Inheritance

"Today's Devotion" For August 4, 2005

Read: Romans 8:1-17; Psalm 22

IT'S A QUESTION OF INHERITANCE

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings, in order that we may share in His glory." (Rom. 8:17)

Have you ever received and inheritance? If you did, what did you inherit? If you haven't as yet inherited anything, do you anticipate some sort of inheritance in the future? If you've received an inheritance, what did you inherit? What do you anticipate inheriting in the future? If you've received an inheritance, what did you do with it? If you're anticipating an inheritance, what will you do with it? Of course there's always the question: Why did you or will you receive such an inheritance?

I realize that I've raised a number of questions. I find them particularly interesting because when people think of an "inheritance" they're generally thinking of receiving a sum of money, a stock portfolio, a house, a car, or something of great value. But inheritances come in all shapes and sizes and each is a unique remembrance of the person who bequeathed that inheritance to the recipient. Maybe twenty-years ago my wife received a small amount of money upon the passing of a great aunt. Because my wife had a special spot in her heart for Aunt Hulda, that money was used to purchase a piano. It doesn't get used very often, sad to say, but every time I see it I'm reminded of my wife's aunt. I expect that some day our children will inherit the piano and they'll have to decide what to do with it. Perhaps one of them will take it to their home; perhaps they'll sell it to help pay off any estate bills.

The most common form of an inheritance is that which is passed from parents to children. While other sources of inheritance exist, such as my wife's aunt, inheritances are usually a family affair. No inheritance is earned or deserved. It's a gift of love from the dead or dying to those whom they love and who have loved them. Sadly, however, the inheritance, its meaning, and its purpose can fade away and be lost to succeeding generations. While we may leave sums of money, possessions, heirlooms, or whatever else our estates might consist of to those whom we love, all these things will eventually fade away, losing their luster, escaping significance, and suffering from diminishing worth over time. Environmental activists, animal lovers, and a plethora of political operatives often speak about the heritage and inheritance we are leaving to our children. Each of these has his or her own "axe to grind" concerning some cause or concern that needs to be addressed in order for that heritage and inheritance to be meaningful and useful. Yet, if history is any lesson, these inheritances will escape the collective memory of subsequent generations.

What a sharp contrast then are the words of the Apostle Paul noted in Romans 8. He reminds us that because of God's great love for us, we have, by faith in Christ, an eternal inheritance that will neither be forgotten nor will it fade away. As forgiven and restored children of our heavenly Father through faith in Jesus who died for us and rose again, we have the hope and promise of eternal life in Him. We've been restored to God's family through the washing of Holy Baptism in which our Father in heaven has declared us to be His very own children and co-heirs with Christ of eternal life. Therefore, while all around us there are those who have their minds fixed on what kind of inheritance they might leave behind by which we and the world might remember them, our hearts and minds are focused on God's free gift of His grace - eternal life with Christ. The inheritance we leave behind is the love of Christ for sinners and His wonderful and amazing forgiveness of all our sins. It's what we seek to pass to future generations by our actions and words. In the end, as joint heirs with Christ of God's abundant and great grace, mercy, and love, we know there's no greater heritage or inheritance any of us can leave to our children or this world than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You paid the price for my sins and the sins of the world by suffering and dying on the Cross. In Holy Baptism, by the washing of the water and the Word, through the power of the Spirit, I have been made an heir with You of the Father's blessings and the promise of eternity with You in heaven. Thank You for Your sacrifice which makes this all possible. Help me to be grateful and to seek to always share that inheritance with others so they too can have an eternal inheritance that will never fade away. Hear me, O Lord Jesus, for Your name's sake. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.