Belonging

You know those movies about the family inheritance? They’re usually full of drama with the storyline being one of the parents cuts one of the kids out of the family inheritance. Or maybe it’s a movie where someone is pretending to be a part of the family so they can get their hands on a large inheritance. Whatever the storyline, I’m sure you know what I’m referring to. It’s about a family, an inheritance, and one person trying to get in on it. 

The thing is, to receive an inheritance, you have to belong. No one outside of the family can be in line for it. You have to be a part of the family, have the family name, to be considered. 

Ephesians 1:11-14 says that anyone who is in Christ has an inheritance. Now, anyone can say they are in Christ, and a lot of people do. Many people call themselves ‘Christians,’ but don’t really belong. They have not received Him, believing in His name, as John 1:12-13 says is necessary to being His children. So, how do you know you belong? Ephesians 1:14 says the Holy Spirit is the down payment for our inheritance. He is the proof we belong. He is the family name, so to speak. Romans 8:16 says the Holy Spirit bears witness that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs. Heirs receive an inheritance. 

Jesus made a way for all of us to belong. He adopted us, giving us His name and putting us in line to receive an inheritance. Then, in case we doubt our right, He gave us His Holy Spirit as proof and guarantee that we belong. He sealed us. It can’t be undone. We belong. We are His.