By Ron Boatwright
Today, many people fail to recognize that the inheritance in Heaven is far more valuable than all the riches in the world. They fail to realize its worth. Our Lord says in Matthew 16:26, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Our Lord also says, "The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys the field. Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it" (Matthew 13:44-46). We must spare no expense or effort in our life to obtain the inheritance of Heaven.
Our inheritance came at a great price, the cruel death of Jesus on the cross. He purchased our inheritance with His own blood (Acts 20:28), which "has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of His dear Son"(Colossians 1:12-13).
To receive the inheritance we must come to God in accordance to His terms as stated in the Bible. To receive the inheritance we must be one of His children. How do we become a child of God so we can qualify for the inheritance? "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27). If we have been baptized into Christ it is "In Him also we have obtained an inheritance" (Ephesians 1:11). When we are baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of our sins so we can be saved, then we know we are His children and are qualified for the inheritance.
After we have been baptized into Christ, it is through the Holy Spirit revealed word of the New Testament that "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:16-17). We then are assured "Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance"(Colossians 3:24). We should then "Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven" (Matthew 5:12). We then have "An inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4).
We should "Let no man cheat you of your reward" (Colossians 2:18). We should live a faithful life and "be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure" (2 Peter 1:10). Then on Judgment Day we will hear the Lord say to us "Come you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matthew 25:34). Lets make sure we qualify for the inheritance of Heaven.
