Inheritance, spiritual

Believers are privileged to receive a spiritual inheritance from their heavenly Father as a result of their adoption into the family of God through faith.

Believers have an inheritance in Christ

Jesus Christ as God's heir

Hebrews 1:2 See also Matthew 21:37–39 parallels Mark 12:6–8, Luke 20:13–15; Matthew 28:18; Luke 19:12; John 3:35; Hebrews 1:4–6; Psalm 2:7–8

But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe.

Believers are co-heirs with Christ

Romans 8:17 See also Ephesians 3:6

And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ — if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Believers are heirs under the covenant

Hebrews 6:17, Hebrews 9:15

Believers are heirs by grace

Galatians 3:18 See also Acts 20:32; Colossians 1:12

For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.

Believers are heirs through faith

Galatians 3:29 See also Romans 4:13–17; Hebrews 11:7–10

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.

The nature of the spiritual inheritance of believers

They inherit salvation

Hebrews 1:14

Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

They inherit eternal life

See also Matthew 19:29; Luke 10:25; Titus 3:7; 1 Peter 3:7

They have the full rights of sons

Galatians 4:4–7

They have the rights of the firstborn

Hebrews 12:22–23 See also Exodus 4:22; 2 Kings 2:9

Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels in joyful assembly, to the congregation of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven. You have come to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

They inherit the earth

Matthew 5:5 See also Psalm 37:11

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

They inherit the kingdom

Matthew 25:34 See also Luke 22:28–30; Revelation 3:21

Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

They inherit all things

Luke 15:31; 1 Corinthians 3:21–22; Revelation 21:7

Their inheritance is the word of God

Psalm 119:111

They inherit the Lord himself

Psalm 73:26 See also Numbers 18:20; Deuteronomy 10:9; Psalm 142:5; Jeremiah 10:16, Jeremiah 51:19

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

It is a good inheritance

Psalm 16:6

The permanence of believers' spiritual inheritance

It has been prepared from the creation

Matthew 25:34

It is guaranteed for eternity

1 Peter 1:3–5 See also Psalm 37:18; Daniel 12:13

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

It is sealed with God's promise

Ephesians 1:13–14 See also Revelation 7:3, Revelation 9:4

And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth — the gospel of your salvation — you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory.

The conditions of spiritual inheritance

It is conditional upon continuing obedience and faith

1 Peter 3:9–12 See also Psalm 34:12–16, Psalm 25:12–13, Psalm 37:11, Psalm 37:29, Psalm 37:34, Psalm 61:5; Proverbs 28:10; Matthew 5:5; Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 6:12; James 2:5

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

It is denied to the ungodly

Ephesians 5:5 See also Psalm 37:9, Psalm 37:22; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, 1 Corinthians 10:1–5; Galatians 5:19–21; Hebrews 3:12–19; Revelation 21:27

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.