Our Inheritance in the Light

We are God’s workmanship, and we are called to become competent to partake in the inheritance of the saints in the light. Col. 1:12. Just as Israel had to fight for their land, we too, must fight for our inheritance in the land. In Israel there was a law that no one could become great through his brother’s in­heritance. Those who had unrighteously taken their brother’s inheritance had to restore all of it, along with all the proceeds of the field. 2 Kings 8:1-6. This example shows us clearly that we cannot become anything outside of our own inheritance. The Father can only work in us when we come to rest in our own place in the body. And there we have more than enough enemies to battle.

When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them a free will, but they made the wrong choice. Self-will is bound to sin in the flesh, and then we develop in the way of death. Unfortu­nately, through the thousands of years since the fall, many people have trodden these ways of death. Jesus brought life and immortality to light. If we want to enter the way of life, we must wage war against the lusts in our flesh.

God has given various spiritual gifts to people, but gifts will not benefit the church unless there is a whole sacrifice. Gifts can be invested in earthly things, and then the enemy often gets control of them. Therefore, let us fight the good fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life. We can transform trials into eternal life when the lusts in the flesh do not get power over our body. The result is that our gifts are manifested, and we develop and become of benefit to mankind. God places people in the church. This is something that we must all humble ourselves under and rejoice over. Use what God has given you to build up the body of Christ.

We are called to be weapons of righteousness for God, in­struments that can set people free from their need and des­peration, which is usually caused by the lusts in their flesh. We have received a glorious task—to help turn this develop­ment around—to save souls from the ways of sin and death.

Many people who formerly were slaves and servants of sin have now been set free. They have turned away from their habits. They have made things right in their own life, and Sa­tan is under their feet. They are set free from sin and can be servants of God. Sanctification makes us competent for our inheritance in the light. Rom. 6:22. If we are faithful and cleanse ourselves in the light, we will first become perfect ac­cording to our conscience; and when we continue to walk in the light, we will be conformed more and more to the Son.

We have been given a mission to accomplish. Our work is to save those whom God wants to save, and we can be com­pletely free from trying to please people. The church will be as large or as small as God wills. We must complete our mis­sion and the task that we have received from the Lord Jesus. God will provide us with the means and the gifts to do this. Because of technological advances, we have missionary pos­sibilities as never before. Therefore, it is extremely important that we have something to preach to people, that we have words of life that have brought abundant blessings over our own lives.

Blessed is every young person who understands to take part in this work right from his youth and who gives all of his time, energy and money to the kingdom of God. God wants to see results, and He wants to see a return on His investment from the gifts and possibilities He has given us. Blessed is ev­eryone who dives into a life of sacrifice right from his youth and who continues to stand fast in the covenant until the end. These people come to know God. They experience God’s care and are able to preach the gospel with enthusiasm.

Therefore, preach the word of the cross in the full assur­ance of faith! Preach the life and the virtues of Christ through your life and words! The word of the cross is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. On the cross there is salvation and deliverance. On the cross we have a future and a hope. There we have our eternity. If we are dead with Him, we will also live with Him.

It is extremely valuable to be patient in tribulation and to run in the race that is set before us. When the harvest comes, there will be fruit. Blessed is everyone who is faithful when it is time to sow in their life. They will reap a harvest according to the laws of love. We are called to be living stones who, through the circumstances of life, receive a training that makes us shine and radiate in the midst of our tribulations.

Joshua and Caleb, those heroes of faith, were good ex­amples of walking in the Spirit. They had to go in and possess the Promised Land, just as we must lay hold of divine nature. Every place where Joshua and Caleb set their foot would be-come theirs. They had to fight their way in and take the land through battle; no one surrendered willingly to them except the Gibeonites. And when they did not take everything through battle as God had commanded them, a tremendous curse came over Israel.

For us a death must take place over the lusts in the body. Then we will become a dwelling place for God. Everyone who is raised up to be a dwelling place for God will be united and will become a temple for God, like a bride adorned for her Bridegroom. God Himself will be with us in the new temple on the new earth. We have tremendous promises in the gospel. Therefore, guard your inheritance in the light, so that rivers of blessing flow from your body on every step you take on the way of the cross. Perhaps there are some strongholds in the hill country that have been difficult for you to conquer so far. But it is not too late. Caleb was full of the spirit of battle when he was 85 years old. He warred in the full assurance of faith and in a triumphant spirit that brought fear over all his en­emies.

We must also pray for those who bear responsibility in this mighty host of the Lord today, those whom God has espe­cially raised up to be defenders of the people. Let us fight with them and pray for them, bless them and support them with all of our heart so that together we can help liberate mankind from the power of sin and darkness and open the way for them into the kingdom of light.

Paul says, “I reach forward to those things which are ahead.” Praise God that He has raised up leaders among us who understand to lead the church to the goal God has set for it. May no one become rich and satisfied, but may we be fer­vent in our spirits so that we can take part in this work of the Spirit, which has inspired all the saints.