Inheritance...

Scripture:

Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Devotional:

The first-born.  Throughout the ages, the firstborn son was the heir.  He was the one who would become responsible for the family and its possessions.  He would get most if not everything.  Younger siblings would be jealous and sometimes try to cheat the firstborn out of their inheritance.  Just look at Jacob in Genesis chapter 27 Rebekah had Jacob bring a meal to Isaac that Esau was supposed to bring.  This way he would get the blessing, and inheritance instead of Esau. 

Luckily, for us Jesus is the firstborn and the inheritance.  He has paid the price in order that; we too may share in the inheritance.  It is through Jesus that we can be reconciled back to God.  We do not have to fear someone will swindle us from our inheritance.  We cannot lose salvation.  No one can take it away from us.  We inherit salvation, a place with God for eternity, because of Jesus.  John 17:11:

While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Jesus is not going to lose anyone of us.  We are His… We will be with him with God for all eternity.  God the creator of all things cares enough for each of us that He has made it possible to be reconciled with Him.  He made it possible that we would not be slaves to sin.  We are indeed coheirs with Christ, because of Christ.  As a good friend of mine likes to say, “God does not have any grandchildren.”

Are You Shinning?

Scripture:

Philippians 2:14-18 (ESV)

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Devotional:

I remember growing up my parents owned and operated a motorcycle shop.  I remember being there and having the task of washing, waxing, and polishing the motorcycles.  After all, they had to be clean and shiny.  I never cared for the chore.  Sometimes, truth be told more often than not, I grumbled and or whined about having to clean the motorcycles.  You could say my heart was not in it.  I was not blameless, nor innocent.  I grumbled and wished I could do something else.  However, in the end I did what I was told.  I washed, waxed, and polished motorcycles.

Throughout my life as I walk with Christ how many times was my attitude the same as it was when I was a kid?  How often do I complain and grumble when He asks me to do something?  Somewhere along the way something inside changed.  I guess you could say I have been maturing as a Christian.  My faith is not what it was.  While I may not like or want to do a task my complaints are way down.  I try to put my best foot forward.  If I am not cheerful about a task, I at least try not to complain or grumble.

Where are you in your faith walk?  Are you still an infant, grumbling and complaining?  Have you matured?  What has Christ asked you to do?  Is what you do for Christ done in such a way to shine for Christ? On the other hand, are you just a dim little flicker barely seen?  What we do does not have to be big.  It does not have to be grand and spectacular for us to shine brightly for Jesus.  It is our attitude that matters.  It is how we carry ourselves in our work and daily lives. 

We can shine brightly for Jesus.  All we have to do is start.  Take one-step at a time to change our attitudes and way of thinking.  Eventually we will mature and grow.  Eventually we will shine brightly and our attitudes will change.  We can even find joy in our tasks.  It is not what we do but whom we are doing it for.  How do you want the world to see Christ?