Don't Forfeit Your Inheritance

In a recent Bible study at church, Minister David Humphrey shared in the evening's teaching on "Spiritual Warfare" that the believer forfeits his spiritual inheritance when in sin.  This couldn't be more true!  While we all sin and fall short of the glory of GOD, the spirit of conviction will compel believers to confess their sins (i.e. come into agreement with how GOD sees their actions) and repent (i.e. change their actions by turning and going the opposite direction).  However, there are some believers who choose to repeatedly engage in behavior that is not in alignment with the culture of GOD.  These are the individuals who willingly forfeit what Christ Jesus has secured for all who believe in Him.

The word "forfeit" means "to lose or give up (something) as a punishment or because of a rule or law."  It also means "to lose or lose the right to especially by some error, offense, or crime."  This forfeiture is apparent on multiple levels, but it's most plainly seen in scripture when Jesus says to those who claim to have done many wonderful works in His name that He never knew them (Matthew 7:21-23).  It doesn't get more clear than this, folks!  Workers of iniquity (i.e. illegality), those who do not do the will of our Heavenly Father, lose the spiritual inheritance they unfortunately were deceived into believing was secure for them.  But to their utter shame and disappointment, no amount of prophesying in Jesus' name, casting out of devils, and working of miracles will overcompensate for a life of deliberate sin and outright disobedience.

More than anything, we must be an obedient people.  Unlike the laws of this land, which are interpreted by the judicial branch of the U.S. government, the laws of Heaven are not open to interpretation.  Once the King has spoken, that's it.  Only He can decree a ruling to reverse the law He spoke into existence.  Therefore, it is in our best interests to humble ourselves--as it says in 1 Peter 5:6--under the mighty hand of GOD, that He may exalt us in due time.  In our humility, we're inclined to obey GOD and, in turn, reap the benefits a life of obedience yields.

Bible speaks of sobriety and vigilance being characteristic of the righteous because it takes discipline and accountability to live this way.  Preachers are quick to talk about how there's nothing you can do to earn an inheritance, but they fail to share how easily that inheritance can be lost BEFORE it's even enjoyed.  (And mind you, this is not an argument to prove that one can be saved and lost.  The loss of an inheritance is simply an indication that the individual in question failed to meet the requirements to receive it.)  In Romans 6:1-2, the Apostle Paul asks a series of questions, one of which being, "How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"  How can someone claim to be alive in Christ and yet KNOWINGLY choose to live contrary to GOD's way of doing things?  It's quite simple...

Check out Part 2 of "Don't Forfeit Your Inheritance"