“This is all the inheritance I give to my dear family. The religion of Christ will give them one which will make them rich indeed.” ~ Patrick Henry
Fate chooses our parents. When we are born, we inherit our parent’s genes. We may have inherited healthy genes or not so healthy genes. Unfortunately, we don’t have the option to choose our genes, at least not totally. Science has made significant progress with gene therapy, so there are cases where gene therapy can alter our future and provide options that weren’t available to previous generations.
Some people are born with silver spoons in their mouths, and others are born with plastic ones. Some will inherit great wealth (trust fund babies), and others forced to take on massive debt to pursue an education, homeownership, and start a family. We don’t get to choose where we are born, where we live, go to school, or even our neighbors. As we grow older, those inherited limitations change, and we start to enjoy the freedom to choose who we are around, where we live, work and hang out. If you are not enjoying much success in your life, you may want to consider changing the people, places, and things in your life. Who you are around influences how your life will turn out.
One thing you don’t get to choose is your spiritual inheritance. Just because your parents, siblings, and friends may have a strong faith and practice spiritual principles in their lives doesn’t mean you will. God provides all people with prevenient grace, which allows every human the gift of faith and the ability to acknowledge their brokenness and need for salvation. God also created all humans with “free will” or, if you wish, “say so.” You may consider it the greatest curse of the greatest gift; it is a matter of perception. The gift of free will determines if you will turn your will and life over to the care of God or not. God will never coerce you to believe. Your family’s choices may have cost you a great deal early in your life, but it doesn’t limit your ability to inherit the kingdom of God. Your spiritual inheritance is predicated on your willingness to give up your right to yourself. If you choose to follow Jesus and live the kingdom life, you will receive your spiritual inheritance. Friends, that is not just good news; that’s the best news ever.
Scripture Readings
Reflection Questions
- What did you take away from today’s reflection and scripture readings?
- What genes did you inherit from your parents?
- What lifestyle did you inherit from your parents?
- How much of the way you live today was influenced by your upbringing?
- How have your roots influenced your faith?
- Have you chosen to turn your will and life over to God so you can inherit the kingdom of God?
Prayer
Lord, thank You for my life, despite my limitation and the fate of my upbringing. Please remove from me any resentment I have for my parents and roots. Thank You for the gift of free grace and Your love for me and for allowing me to inherit salvation and live the kingdom life. In Your Spirit and Name, I pray these things. May Your will and not mine be done now and forever. Amen.
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