Anyone who lives in Colorado can tell you that we take pride in living in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Who wouldn’t right? I live in a place where people are always chasing the next beautiful view and breathtaking hike. And I join right in, boasting in my amazing home state. You could rightly say that my “inheritance” as a Colorado resident is bragging rights. The other day was one of those days I grabbed my keys and a water-bottle and, in 27 minutes, I was in the middle of a piece of nature that was bursting with God’s glory. I was soaking it in, chasing butterflies with my dog, stunned by the green, purple, and yellow wildflowers exploding everywhere.
As I was hiking in awe of the beauty everywhere, Hebrews 1:2-4 came to life:
“but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”
What a beautiful picture of who Jesus is. I’m absolutely positive that author was grasping for words, even though through them we can’t even fathom how magnificent and awe-inspiring Jesus is. The next verse says:
“For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you?” Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be my Son,”?
God LOVES Jesus. As His son, heir, and exact imprint of His nature. He is the RADIANCE of the GLORY of GOD.
As I was thinking through these words, the idea of inheritance kept popping up in my mind.
Romans 8:15-17 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bear witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs of Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
We are fellow heirs with Christ! We suffer with Him and we are glorified with Him. Did you read the part that says he is the “radiance of the glory of God”? We are adopted as sons and daughters of the most beautiful and kind King, and He has made us fellow heirs with His perfect Son. Honestly, that is so humbling. How could I ever deserve this? What rights do we have to this inheritance? We sin, stumble, and destroy our own lives, but we haven’t been given a spirit of slavery. We don’t live life in chains anymore! We continue to sin, yet God has extended a perfect, and perfectly free gift of salvation, adoption, and life. His plan for life is that it would be abundant, and full, and full of joy. He shows us His heart for us by adopting us into His family and giving us the inheritance of His glory.
I boast in the state that I live in on a daily basis. Yet, while it is insanely beautiful and displays God’s glory in a majestic and unique way, I am reminded so sweetly that I am an heir of the GLORY OF GOD! And it’s Him I should boast in. The Bible says all of “this” is rubbish when compared to the joy of knowing God. “This” is this place. “This” is the pride I take in living here. Nothing will ever, EVER compare to knowing God and living in the light of His freedom and glory.
Think on this and let it change your heart. Let it remind you how little you are but also how loved you are. You’re cherished, treasured, and adopted. That’s transforming.
