March 23, 2005.
27. THE LAW VERSUS FAITH IN RECEIVING THE INHERITANCE OF THE LORD. The promise of the Lord to Abraham was not given him through the Law for Abraham was never under the Law. He exercised faith and believed the Word of the Lord. Neither circumcision or the Law had any part in the promise of an inheritance of the world. Rom 4:13 The land of Canaan was given to Abraham as his earthly inheritance of land. Gen. 13:14-15 He was also to receive of the Lord the right of being a great nation, to have a great name and to be a blessing to the nations of the world. Gen. 12:2-3 His spiritual seed was to be as numerous as the stars of the heavens for number. The magnitude of this promise is staggering when we hear of the multitudinous number of the stars in the heavens. Gen. 15:5 The natural seed is also accounted for in the promise of the Lord using the sand of the sea. Gen. 22:17 The third measurement of his descendants relates to those who are of the seed of Ishmael and are accounted to be as many as the dust of the earth. Gen. 13:16 It is small wonder that the Lord would tell him that he would be the father of many nations, not just families or tribes. Gen.17:5
THE TRANSFER OF THE INHERITANCE. In the parable of the vineyard Jesus foretold of the action that would be taken by the people of that day, in crucifying Him. That which was sought after was the inheritance. It was in their minds that in deposing of Jesus they were doing God a favor and that the land would become theirs. While in actuality, just the opposite was true. The land was taken from them and given unto those who would see to it that the land was fruitful and that the owner would receive his portion. Mark 12:1-9 It is well that we hear what Jesus said concerning those who had been in power. The kingdom of God shall be taken from you. Once removed never to be returned to them again. An entirely new clientele are to receive and work the land, or receive the kingdom. For, the kingdom was to be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. By a simple, straightforward statement Jesus excluded the one and embraced the other. The spiritual people, regardless of race, or any other division made by men, are they who will inherit the kingdom. Mt. 21:43 Jesus furthermore stated that the children of the kingdom would be cast out into outer darkness. Excluded from any inheritance in the eternal kingdom of the Lord. Mt. 8:12 The scriptures are very plain when pointing out those who shall inherit the kingdom. In the first place, except a person is born of the Spirit they cannot even imagine that there be such a place as the kingdom of God. The kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. The unspiritual are unaware of its existence. John 3:3 Secondly, the New Birth, water and Spirit, is required of any and all who would desire to enter into that blessed kingdom. These are not religious requirements of church organizations but this is what the Word has designated as the way to inherit His kingdom. John 3:5