Divine Heritage And Realities In Christ

In human life, when a person is born, he belongs to the family of the parents, and is spontaneously entitled to partake in the possessions of such parents except where a legal instrument gives a contrary or specific directive. Note that ‘he’ afore-mentioned implies male and female. Similarly, when a person is born-again, implying born into God’s family and fathered by God; having received Christ as the Lord and Saviour, by confessing with the mouth and believing in the heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, he becomes the offspring of God: “That if thou shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved”. (Romans 10:9)

As soon as this occurs, God releases His spirit on the person in order to operate and live the God-kind of life, that is; eternal or supernatural life;  “…And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His son”(1 John 5:11). In other words, this eternal life comes immediately after your birth into God’s family because that’s the God-kind of life. According to John 1:12, “…but as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”. Similarly, Romans 8:14, says “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God”.
Interestingly, so simple. As God’s spirit is imparted on you, you become immune to sin and essentially, empowered by the spirit of God: “But ye shall receive power, after that the holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  You are therefore no longer an ordinary person. Unfortunately, most times, we seem to evaluate ourselves based on outward features and earthly backgrounds. It should sink deep into our spirit that God who gave birth to you now is omnipotent, and cannot sin, and the Bible  clearly says that we are same like him though on earth; “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; because as He is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17) Alleluia!  
In the light of this, the Bible explains “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God”. 1 John 3:9(KJV)
In the Amplified version (Ibid.): “No one born (begotten) of God (deliberately, knowingly, and habitually) practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him (His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him), and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God”. It therefore implies that once someone acquires divine nature as prescribed above, he can no longer commit sin, simply because, God’s gene which is transmitted into him doesn’t recognize sin.
Its pertinent to note that the nature of sin left us immediately we are fathered by God, hence, in accordance with ‘Nemo dat quad non habet’ rule (You cannot give what you do not have), we are disabled and immune to sin, but bestowed with righteousness; the nature of God, our father. The book of Romans 6:14 further gives a summary: “For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace”. Hence, by virtue of God’s DNA (divine nature) which you acquired, you have become an overcomer like Him, and can function accurately, sagaciously and effectively as He does: “Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence”. (Ephesians 1:8) 
In 1 John 5:4, the Bible says “ For whatsoever that is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”.  Alleluia!
Isn’t it amazing of who we are in Christ, or what do you think?
Thus, having been born again, the person becomes entitled to a full inheritance of God’s great possessions, to wit: Kingdom, Righteousness, Blessings, Glory, Wisdom, Honour, Thanksgiving, Power and Dominion. Perhaps, such tradition of inheritance from a father to his children was copied from God by man. No wonder, the Psalmist declared with full audacity, “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places, yea, I have a goodly heritage! (Psalms 16:6)  What a birthright in Christ!
However, these possessions of God are neither fixed nor real assets, but spiritual, nevertheless, can be acquired and converted to fixed and real assets. Interestingly, by the spirit of God in us, as far as your spirit can see and accommodate. For example, the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour…” (Joshua 6:2).  From the Bible, we can see that things which are seen (fixed and real assets) were made from things which are not seen (spiritual): “Through faith, we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear”. (Hebrews 11:3)
What will therefore be our fate in the real world vis-à-vis my divine heritage in Christ?  First and foremost, recognize and be fully conscious that the real world is subject to the spiritual world as the scripture says above.
Secondly, note that things which are seen are temporal, hence subject to change; “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal”.(2 Corinthians 4:18)
Thirdly, realize that when a person receives eternal life, his life-span and status as a human being terminates, he acquires the nature of God and becomes a human-God; all principles applicable to God become evident in him too; he talks powerfully like God, sees spiritually like God and acts fearfully like God, above all, he automatically acquires the gift of righteousness: For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17). What a gracious God! 
With this consciousness, all you need to do is to continually dig deep into the word of God to discover the treasures of our inheritance in Christ Jesus. As soon as you discover your birthrights, download them and take possession in the spirit by faith with your mouth, and appropriate them to your life, and in due season, circumstances around you will align because it’s yours already, and not about to be yours.  To borrow the phrase of famous man of God, Pastor Chris  “…keep saying it, don’t stop talking it, …if you keep to the word, you will come back with a testimony, because,So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed” (Acts 19:20).
As the seeds planted by a farmer grow forth in due season and bear fruits, so shall those words spoken with the authority in the name of Jesus because of His fullness in us:  “And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace(1 John 1:16).   This therefore gives a critical picture and description of a man in Christ. It unequivocally shows that we’re undauntedly graced, hence, fortified with a glorious mandate to function exactly like God: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the father by him”.(Colossians 3:17).
Reiterating further, the Lord made a solemn declaration to us; “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it(John 14:14). Our confessions must always be consistent with who and what we’re as well as all we have in Christ despite prevailing circumstances.  For example, I know I’m blessed because God’s word says so: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” Ephesians 1:3.  I can therefore look at dicey circumstances and boldly declare;
 I am an overcomer!; I am blessed and a blessing in my world!
It is therefore immaterial that the realities (facts on ground) or circumstances around at the moment are inconsistent with the above truth. It’s also important to note that God’s word remains the absolute truth, and it implies that people that arrive at conclusions based on facts are under gross error. No wonder the bible says that “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits”(Daniel 11:32). Our expectations therefore should always be determined by our divine heritage in Christ. If not, it will amount to receiving God’s grace in vain: “We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain” (2 Corinthians 6:1).
Sadly, we often forget who we are and what we have as co-heirs of God with Christ. Most times, you hear inconsistent responses when a superior requests for someone, “What have I done”, “Am I safe?”, Hope no problem, among others. In other words, the thoughts in the mind and expectations are rarely in harmony with our present status. Preferably, or otherwise, inadvertently, we often elect to operate from the arms of the flesh. In Romans 8:6, the bible says “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace”. Hence, our thoughts and expectations shall always be in agreement with what God says concerning me.
Splendid, we have acquired eternal life! But what does it mean? Simply, God’s distinct nature that is peculiar to man. Apparently, it has little or nothing to do with endless life or hundreds of years on earth, rather, a life of power and dominion; a Christ-like life on earth; a triumphant life that knows no barrier or impossibilities, but endless possibilities in conformity with God’s perfect vision and purpose; a life of glory and virtue with positive tendencies towards  God’s kingdom and pleasure: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  No wonder, our great ministry’s slogan: “Giving your life a meaning!
To conclude therefore, our birthright as co-heirs of God with Christ, and in Christ should be the sole determinant to our personalities cum lifestyle in the real world. That is to say, we are actually what God says we are, and can do what God says we can (despite dicey circumstances). This is because, as you discover and see yourself from the viewpoint of God’s word, and continue to meditate on it, the things which are seen will begin to align with the things which are not seen.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, the Bible says; “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the same Spirit of the Lord”. It therefore points to the fact that as we continually locate ourselves in God’s word, and meditate and hold on strongly to it, those inconsistent facts which also constitute darkness will have no choice than to give way to light(God’s word): “And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not(John 1:5); or those facts will be swallowed by the truth because God is almighty as clearly shown in Moses encounter with Pharaoh: “For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents; but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods”.(Exodus 7:12)

Published By: Admin

Hon. CARL UMEGBORO is a legal practitioner (Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and human rights activist. As an advocate of conflict resolution through ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution), he has acquired intensive training and has been inducted into The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom) as an Associate. He is a prolific writer and public affairs analyst. Prior to his call to Bar as a lawyer, he has been a veteran journalist and columnist in all national newspapers, and has over 250 published articles in various newspapers to his credit. Barrister Umegboro is also a regular guest-analyst to many TV and radio programme on crucial national issues. He can be reached through: (+234) 08023184542, (+234) 08173184542 OR Email: umegborocarl@gmail.com

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