March 25, 2005.
29. TO THE PRAISE 0F HIS GLORY. Those who have placed their trust in the Lord Jesus are examples of His ability to share His glory with others. They are His pride and joy. The rejoicing of His heart because of their complete trust in Him. Their full confidence in the ability of Christ to accomplish the promises of His Word in them has resulted in their salvation. They are a people who have open hearts and are seekers of the truth. Having believed and received the Lord Jesus as their savior they were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Which is the earnest of our inheritance, The down payment, the pledge, the beginning of much, much more to come. Too often the baptism of the Spirit is viewed as the ultimate experience. Altogether too many, having received the initial, the introduction of the precious anointing of the Spirit cease to seek for more. Consequently they miss the richness of the Spirit which is part of their inheritance. Were it a worldly inheritance there would be no end to the commotion that they would make until they had received their full inheritance. Christians need to contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints. There is such a vast store of the blessings of the Spirit. Lets not short change ourselves. Press in, there is an inexhaustible measure waiting for us. What ever the measure of the Spirit is given, there is still that far much more to be had. It is impossible to deplete His ability to fill all with the fullness of Himself. Eph. 1:13-15
TERMS OF THE INHERITANCE. It is needful that we consider those who are excluded from the inheritance. As with all wills there are certain criteria which must be met in order to receive the inheritance. Certain sinful works will eliminate an individual from receiving their portion. The immoral, impure and greedy, or covetous, one seeking after wealth, which in the scripture is considered idolatry, will receive nothing. They are completely eliminated. Eph 5:5 The inheritance is not obtained by adherence to the Law. Those under the Law must come under grace. The inheritance may only be received by promise. Gal. 3:18 In His great mercy and grace, those who under the Law and kept the Law, who satisfied the demands of the Law, may be the recipients of the promise of an eternal inheritance. Heb. 9:16 How true it is, that the Lord is not willing that any should perish but all find eternal life in Him. Divine requirements limit the acceptance of the persons who are to benefit, to those who serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:24 All those who have a living hope in the Lord Jesus may look forward to the day when they receive the fullness of their inheritance, the redemption of the purchased possession, or a resurrected body like that of the Lord Jesus. Eph. 1:14b The full inheritance is that which is everlasting. It is reserved for all those who love the Lord and who will receive the ultimate of that which is prepared for them. It is an inheritance which is not corrupted nor can it be in any way. It never will diminish in quality or quantity. It is not temporary but is permanent and everlasting. 1 Pet. 1:4.