Now we’re no longer living like slaves under the law, but we enjoy being God’s very own sons and daughters! And because we’re his, we can access everything our Father has - for we are heirs because of what God has done!
Galatians 4:7 (TPT)
What a privilege it is to be called heirs of God through Jesus. Maybe this won't sound so profound to us if we do not understand what it means to be called heirs of God. Firstly an heir is a person legally entitled to the property or rank of someone after they've passed away. The person has the right to access everything the contract says he may inherit. And secondly, it is someone who inherits and continues the legacy or the work of a predecessor.
To inherit something, someone has to die. Isn't it amazing to know that that's exactly what Jesus did for us?
When He died on the cross, He legally gave us access to everything that He has. Not only that, but we inherit His vision. We, as His children, are now part of His plan. Jesus didn't just die, but he rose again so that we can live His legacy and access everything in His kingdom with Him.
We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!
Ephesians 2:10 (TPT)
There was once a boy who wanted to take the bus to visit his grandmother. Before he got onto the bus, his father gave him a present and said that it was a special gift for his trip. The boy decided to place the gift next to him and not to open it until he arrived at his destination. During the bus trip, he realized that he forgot to pack in a blanket, as they were driving through the night and it was getting pretty cold. He also forgot to pack in some snacks, so he was very hungry when he reached his grandmother's house. Upon arrival, he decided to open the gift his father gave him just to find out that everything he needed on the bus was inside that present. A blanket, snacks, even some money that he could've used to buy something to eat at a petrol station.
How disappointed would you have been if you realized that you had access to all that you needed right next to you all along?
Isn't that how most of us live our lives? We go through life thinking that one day in heaven we will have peace, healing, love, acceptance, joy, just to name a few? Jesus died for us so that we can have access to all these things and more on earth.
So, you are not foreigners or guests, but rather you are the children of the city of the holy ones, with all the rights as family members of the household of God.
Ephesians 2:19 (TPT)
Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus - all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts! And in love he chose us before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence. For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace - for the same love he has for the Beloved, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure!
Ephesians 1:3-6 (TPT)
Remember the story about the prodigal son? (Luke 15)
We sometimes forget that the father had more than one son. While the youngest son wasted all he was given, the older son worked loyally for his father. When the youngest son came back, the father held a feast to celebrate the return of his son. I can just imagine how the brother was filled with so many questions. There he was, working day and night for his father as a slave, and not once did his father treat him the same way he was treating the prodigal son.
"Father, listen! How many years have I worked like a slave for you, performing every duty you’ve asked as a faithful son? And I’ve never once disobeyed you. But you’ve never thrown a party for me because of my faithfulness. Never once have you even given me a goat that I could feast on and celebrate with my friends as this son of yours is doing now. Look at him! He comes back after wasting your wealth on prostitutes and reckless living, and here you are throwing a great feast to celebrate - for him!"
Luke 15:29-30 (TPT)
If you're being honest with yourself, what parts of your life are you still living as a slave in the Father's house?
“The father said, ‘My son, you are always with me by my side. Everything I have is yours to enjoy. It’s only right to rejoice and celebrate like this, because your brother was once dead and gone, but now he is alive and back with us again. He was lost, but now he is found!’ ”
Luke 15:31 (TPT)
Today the Father is saying to you "You are an heir through Jesus. All I have is yours to enjoy, I am by your side through it all."
No Longer Slaves (Official Lyric Video) - Jonathan David and Melissa Helser - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k)
Phil Wickham - 1,000 Names - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gricEbvNhNg)
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