“Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, everything
he has belongs to you.” – Galatians 4:7
Many of the cards we have received this past Christmas have included not only and “Merry Christmas” but also “A Happy New Year”. Some well-wishers even add “Prosperous” to their blessing of our New Year. St. Paul shows us the connection between “Christmas” and “A Happy Prosperous New Year”. He succinctly reviews what Jesus has done for us, and how we have been brought so close to God that we are adopted into his family. God is our Father, not a distant authoritative father of rules and stipulations, but one who cares for us, his precious children, the same way he cares for his Son, Jesus.
Part of letting God care for us and allowing ourselves to be open to his moving in our lives, is realizing that not only what we have is his, but what he has is ours. The more literal translations say that we are heirs with him, but being an heir means much more than waiting for a future inheritance in heaven. As children of God and heirs we can fully take part right now in the ongoing life of the kingdom of heaven. As heirs we are actively included in God’s family, so that when our inheritance is fully received, we will be comfortable with it and ready to use it responsibly. The father in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son said it very clearly to his eldest son, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours” (Luke 15:31).
It is quite astounding to realize that everything God has is ours, and since he is God that means there is no end to what he has in store for us. Of course we can handle only so much now, given our earthly limitations, but what we do receive is given in preparation for our receiving the whole inheritance. In the meantime, we need to take advantage of the heavenly wealth which belongs to us and which is ours for the asking. Our maturity in the faith depends upon it, because the more we explore what God has for us, the closer we are led to him. The more we know him truly as Father, the more we become liberated from our old patterns old isolation. The more we discover the riches of heaven, the more we have to give freely of ourselves.
Yes, it is hard to believe that everything that God has is ours and that God wants to give us as much as we can accept. His generosity knows no bounds. The proof of it is that God gave his Son, who gave his life, so that we might be one with God and be brought into the loving circle of his family.
We have a “Happy and Prosperous New Year” ahead of us!
My Father in heaven, thank you for your love and care and gifts which keep me aware that I will someday enter into my full inheritance. Help me to live more in the reality of the boundless wealth of your kingdom each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
In His Peace,
Pastor Schultz