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CHALLENGES IN LIVING
TOGETHER AS COMMUNITY
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An
Inheritance Awaits
.
by Tom
Caballes
“Blessed
be the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ! According to his great
mercy, he has caused us to be born
again to a living hope through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the
dead, to an inheritance that is
imperishable, undefiled, and unfading,
kept in heaven for you… [1 Peter
1:3-4]”
- 1
Peter 1:3–4
At times I ponder: what if I was a son of a very
rich father, say Bill Gates, whose riches will
seemingly never run out? What kind of life would I
have lived? Obviously I would never worry about
money. I would find a worthy cause to devote my
life to. I would want to enjoy my riches too, but
not waste it. I would like to help the needy.
How about you – what would you do if you were that
rich? But then, guess what? We do have a heavenly
Father that has unfading, infinite and
imperishable riches! The Bible has full of
promises of unfathomable treasures for those who
follow God and remain faithful to the end. Are you
aware of your eternal inheritance? Aren’t you
excited about it? Do you anticipate it?
So What Do You Do as You
Await Your Inheritance of Incomparable
Value?
- Being a Christian is the best investment in
life, because even if the costs sometimes are
high, the dividends are out of this world. Is
your life centered in Christ? Have you decided
to leave all else behind and follow Him? Have
you decided to follow Him to the end, come
hell or high waters? If not, now is the time
to do so. Think about it: what can compare
with eternal life with God? Absolutely
nothing.
- Start ‘putting on Jesus Christ’ now
[See Romans 13:14]. God wants you to grow in
the character of Christ now and be like Him in
all things. God wants others to see Jesus in
you.
- Do good by loving God and loving others in
whatever situation you are in. And let us
not grow weary of doing good, for in due
season we will reap, if we do not give up.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us
do good to everyone, and especially to
those who are of the household of faith.
[Galatians 6:9-10]
- Sometimes it is easier said than done, but
you need to withstand challenges, trials and
difficulties in this life because only those
who complete the race wins the prize. So do
not give up! Focus on the prize!
- Use your talent, time, money, and resources
wisely, especially in building God’s Kingdom.
Of course you want to enjoy life too as God’s
sons and daughters; yet be mindful that you
will also account for everything you will have
done in this life one day. Have a balance in
your life in this area.
- What is the best thing you can ever give to
your friends and relatives? It is not money or
riches. It is Jesus Christ Himself. If you
give Jesus to others, they will also have the
same infinite inheritance that you will have.
A relationship with Jesus is one gift you can
freely give to others without lessening any of
your own. Actually, the more you share Jesus
to others, the more your eternal wealth will
be!
- Start looking forward to your inheritance!
Have you imagined life without pain, sorrow,
sin and death? Have you imagined walking with
God and seeing His face? Yearn for that day
and time when this will happen – because in
due time, it will, as long as we are faithful
to the end.
Other Scripture
passagees:
- And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and
said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell
all that you have and give to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven; and come,
follow me." [Mark 10:21]
- But, as it is written, "What no eye has
seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man
imagined, what God has prepared for those
who love him." [1 Corinthians 2:9]
- Whatever you do, work heartily, as for
the Lord and not for men, knowing that from
the Lord you will receive the
inheritance as your reward. You are serving
the Lord Christ. [Colossians 3:23-24]
- Other references: Matthew 13:44-46;
Ephesians 1:13-19; Galatians 4:6-7 and 1
Timothy 6:17-19.
For personal reflection or
group sharing
- How much is my life invested towards
eternity?
- Am I reflecting the character of Jesus to
others? In what way can I improve?
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Tom Caballes is the National
Senior Administrator and a National
Coordinator of the Lamb
of
God, a community of the Sword of
the Spirit with 7 branches located
throughout New Zealand. Tom also leads
Kairos
New
Zealand, an outreach program for
high school, university, and
post-university aged people.
Tom and his wife Mhel and
their two daughters live in
Wellington, New Zealand.
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