Key Scripture.  1 Peter 1:3-5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved —in heaven for you, who are kept (reserved for that position) by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Relevance

In the mid-90s, I made an anniversary booking with a two-storey motel in the country. The specific unit I booked was located at the end and was private, overlooking a beautiful Lake. I secured it months in advance to ensure I got it, and I even contacted them closer to the anniversary date to double-check. 

When we arrived, I wondered why people were in the unit. I entered the reception area and waited in line. As soon as I gave my name and the unit, the guy immediately went red-faced. Yes, he'd given it away, probably to someone who flicked him some cash on top of the fee. All of my breakfast-on-the-balcony dreams overlooking a gorgeous lake with my beautiful wife disappeared in an instant, replaced with (Sorry, I can't reveal that!)

One of the good things about our key scripture is this part: reserved —in heaven for you!

That booking is reserved by the living God. If we maintain our faith and our actions reflect it, nobody can undermine that reservation. 

WE GET ONE INHERITANCE—IN TWO PORTIONS —1. WHILE WE LIVE & 2. WHEN WE PASS

1. WHILE WE LIVE

   1. We become part of a Royal Priesthood—an honour no other person gets. 

   2. We are given a daily comforter and guide—THE HOLY SPIRIT.

   3. Heavenly mindedness (purity of mind). THINK ON WHAT THAT IS WORTH. 

   4. We can now resist the devil completely. (defeating sexual perversions, greed, lying, and chronic iniquity) DO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS WORTH?

   5. While we follow Christ and work righteousness into our lives, we obtain peace, quietness and assurance (Isaiah 32:17). THINK ABOUT THE VALUE OF THAT. 

   6. We follow a God who can and does ANSWER prayers. THE VALUE OF THIS IS?

   7. Assurance of Salvation. DO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS WORTH?

   8. Ability to love our enemies. UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS WORTH?

   9. We get a wonderful new family worldwide. WHAT IS THAT WORTH?

 2. WHEN WE PASS

Revelation 21:4 – NO MORE SORROW And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

John 14:2 – HEAVENLY DWELLING PREPARED BY GOD. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 3:16 – ETERNAL LIFE For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life

Romans 10:12 NO MORE RACE ISSUESFor there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

 1 Corinthians 2:9 – UNIMAGINED WONDERS. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

.2 Peter 3:13 – PURENESS EVERYWHERE Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (AND WHERE EVERYONE IS HOLY!) 

Let this magnificent future soak in!

All this through faith IN JESUS CHRIST! 

No other religion has these benefits or assurances.

But there are BEHAVIOURAL CONDITIONS. There are behavioural conditions tied to every inheritance, as there are in our inheritance. (For a good depiction of inheritance values, see the movie The Ultimate Gift with James Garner. It's a wise non-Christian film.)

Why should there be Behavioural conditions? Behaviour gives a good indication of what is in the heart. God wants his inheritance to go to the right people. 

For instance, we see two recent royals who stained their crown. 

Prince Harry—He has made himself completely inappropriate for royal service. The couple kept their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles but are no longer addressed as His or Her Royal Highness (HRH). Harry also gave up his military titles.

Prince Andrew: Jeffrey Epstein issues.

He is inappropriate for royal service.

The Palace dealt with him this way. 

Queen Elizabeth II 

a.    No longer called His Royal Highness

b.    Stripped of his military titles, roles and affiliations

c.    Stripped of royal charitable patronages

Furthermore, King Charles instructed the Keeper of the Privy Purse to remove Prince Andrew's £1.3 million annual personal allowance

Some of their behaviours are what God cautions us about and which could produce consequences when it comes to our inheritance.

We are called to royalty and hold to different expectations. Earth isn't meant to be our FUN PARK before we go to heaven.

What Behaviours Does God Want to See? Here are a few. 

Don’t follow sin or lust. Seek Christ when we’re tempted. Don't just leave it!

Seek FIRST The Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Matt 6.33

Be led by the Spirit. DO NOT fulfil the deeds of the flesh. Rom 8

Seek wisdom first. Wisdom is the principal thing.

Also, when in emotional trouble—go to God first:

• When our world had fallen apart. Put on Beauty for Ashes. Let the savour of God release from your heart. 

• When we're down. Apply the Garment of Praise for the spirit of heaviness. Wrap it around. 

• Apply the oil of Joy for Mourning. It's oil. Apply it liberally!

Despite the wonders, some people don't want Jesus' inheritance. They prefer to decline. 

Personal Reasons. Maybe they had a complicated or painful history with Christianity and can't look beyond it. 

Financial reasons. Maybe existing wealth prevents the giving nature that comes with Christ.

Inconvenience. Perhaps they think it's more trouble than it's worth. 

To decline, all they need to do is nothing, and their name will remain out of the Lamb's Book of Life. God gave us free will to make our own choices. 

Nevertheless, this gift is so wonderfully merciful that God has created a hideous result for those who decline. 

Rev 20:10 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Is your name written in Jesus' book of special beneficiaries—His Book of Life?

Have you invited Jesus into your life? 

Are you following His Will and doing what He asks? 

HOW TO RECEIVE BLESSINGS?

 Be the blessing, and God will fill your basket.

Prayer

Wonderful Lord, praise you for the precious blessings that not only await us but for what we receive now if our hearts are open. Praise you for your mercy and guidance. Help us all through in Jesus' name! 

Photo by Annika Wischnewsky