The Greater Inheritance (Part 2)

Greater Inheritance (Part 2)

Obtaining Our Reward

It is often hard for us to grasp, but the Christian life is not a self-centered life. God calls us to lay down our

life - not fulfill our life. Our satisfaction, gratification and fulfillment are God’s responsibility. The one

who lays down their life will be fulfilled, but the one who seeks fulfillment will not find it. For a brief time

we can feel gratified, but as we realize that what we have is not as fulfilling as expected, the need for more

will again haunt us. There will be certain aspects of life that give us a sense of fulfillment, but the deep

longing of our heart will never be satisfied outside of a committed walk with Christ. The Bible tells us that

without faith it is impossible to please God. Living for eternity is a pure walk of faith. It is easy to believe

in what we can see in this life, but to lay down this life for the promise that we can’t see takes a faith that is

alive and comes from the Lord. Look at Matthew 16

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself,

and take up his cross, and follow Me.

25 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will

find it.

26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what

will a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will

reward each according to his works.

Who can do this without truly believing God? Laying down our life is the only way to follow Jesus Christ.

Many times we claim to be followers of Christ when in fact we are not. Jesus repeated this call often. This

separates those who walk by faith from those who walk by sight. Anyone can answer a call that will benefit

them now, but only someone with true faith can lay down their life and all the benefits of this life for the

promise of heaven. Jesus followed His call by asking a redundant question: "For what profit is it to a man if

he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" The

answer is `nothing’. Nothing is gained if we gain the whole world, but miss eternity. Nothing is gained by a

wealth of blessings that remain in this life alone. Nothing can be exchanged for our soul. This life is

nothing outside of an eternal purpose and those who live for this life are living for nothing.

It is odd how that people can spend 65 years of their life investing for 10-20 years of retirement and this is

considered wise. However, when a Christian invests their life in eternity, it is considered foolish. Not only

is it foolish from the world’s perspective, but also from the church’s perspective. Everyone talks about

living by faith and making a sacrifice, but when someone actually believes God enough to follow that call,

people discourage this decision. When someone leaves a good job to do a ministry, frequently even

Christian family and friends criticize or are unsupportive of this decision. When someone truly makes a

sacrifice that really costs them, few stand behind them. It is important to make sure that we are following

God and not trying to make something happen God has not ordained. Many think that the first thought that

pops in their head is a word from God and this is often not the case. I have seen men quit their jobs with no

provision for their families and God did not bless their needs. I have seen others whose needs were met. If

God calls, He will provide, but if we are ahead of God we can’t have confidence that God is guiding us.

Sacrifice is built on a foundation of faith and a deep relationship with God. Even sacrifice is a loss if it does

not have the right motives and is a part of God’s plan. Look at 1 Corinthians 3

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the

foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by