“In Him we have obtained an inheritance…” Ephesians 1:11
The LORD brought His people out of bondage and set a rich inheritance before them – a promised land flowing with milk and honey for which they had not labored with cities they had not built and with orchards and vineyards they had not planted. The Angel of the LORD went before them, and under Joshua’s leadership, God’s people initially took possession of their inheritance, driving out the inhabitants of the land. Not one of their enemies withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands. Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to His children had failed. All came to pass. (Joshua 21:43-45)
Yet, after the death of Joshua there arose another generation who did not know the LORD or the work that He had done. God’s people did not drive out their enemies. They cohabitated and covenanted with them, refusing to fight to take possession of the land. They did what was right in their own eyes. Their compromise was costly. Instead of becoming a set-apart people declaring God’s excellence, their enemies ruled over them and oppressed them. They eventually would be driven from the land into captivity again.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force.” (Matthew 11:12) The believer living in faith is empowered to seize by force the kingdom of heaven. There is a rich inheritance offered to us through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. It’s for us now, not just when we die. Like God’s people of old, we’re called to rise up and take possession of it.
What is our inheritance? We’ve been given righteousness, reconciliation, redemption, adoption, peace, rest, joy, healing, forgiveness, cleansing, a new identity, freedom, wisdom, favor, protection, provision, prosperity, power, authority, victory, everlasting life, access to the throne, grace, mercy, oneness with the Father, promises that allow us to participate in the divine nature – everything we need for life and godliness and every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (II Peter 1:3-4; Eph. 1:3). It’s all before us, secured at the cross. All that remains is for us to rise up in faith and take possession of it.
How do we do that? We access our inheritance through what we say and what we do. With the heart we believe, and with the mouth we confess what’s true (Rom. 10:10). We take captive the lies of the enemy and drive him out with the word of God on our lips. We renew our minds daily with God’s truth and confess it aloud. We don’t sabotage our victory with a negative confession, giving place to doubt and double-mindedness. Confession determines possession. If we’re saying, “I’m sick, I’m broke, I’m defeated, I’m a mess,” our hearts are in unbelief and we cohabitate with the enemy. Instead, we speak and act on God’s Word every day, calling things that are not as though they were (Rom. 4:17). We confess what’s ours in Christ Jesus regardless of our circumstances. We refuse to let our senses or emotions dictate our beliefs or confession. When our words and our actions align with God’s, our inheritance begins to manifest, and we take hold of what God promised.
We are not appointed to live stuck, defeated, fearful, powerless, broken lives. We were not appointed for compromise or captivity. Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). There’s a rich inheritance provided for us through His finished work on the cross. It’s ours for the taking. We are more than conquerors through Christ. He is with us (Hebr. 13:5). He is for us. (Rom. 8:31-32) He gives us the victory (I Cor. 15:57). Let’s consecrate ourselves, rise up, drive out the enemy, and take possession of our inheritance in Christ.
Lisa Moore