We have a glorious inheritance once we are born again. Our position with God is in that inheritance. We possess it now, and we will possess it forever. We can call this positional inheritance.

However, we still have to walk out this life here on earth. There will be trials, stress, pain, heartache, suffering, illness, death of loved ones amongst all the easier, lighter, more exciting, happy moments. Life happens to us all. None are exempt from that. Yet, as born again believers, we have something solid to stand on as we experience, or walk through it all, experientially. We can call this the experiential inheritance.

How do we do this?

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).

Our soul has died with Christ and we have a new soul (a new mind/heart, new emotions, a freed will). Our spirit has been resurrected from the dead. And the Holy Spirit dwells in us, so the “old man” is dead. Our body at the end of our time here will be changed, redeemed, glorified, fully healed and whole, healthy in every way, but right now, it is not. That is the only part of us not yet redeemed so sin and it’s effects still dwell there (Romans 8:9-17).

Now that we have a spirit that is alive in us to God and His Holy Spirit (rather than the spirit that was dead prior to becoming “born again” and no Holy Spirit to help us) we now have the ability to choose where we will focus, on ourselves, or on our position in Jesus. (Joshua 24:15, Joshua 24:22, 1 Kings 18:21, 2 Kings 17:33-34, 2 Kings 17:41, Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13, Galatians 1:10)

Where we focus is how we will think, and ultimately behave. The mind of Christ, “the new man”, can now say no to sin. The voice telling us to sin originates from the flesh. It is an ongoing battle while living life here on this earth. (Romans 6:11, Romans 6:14, Romans 7, Romans 8:14)

Our self-focused (or fleshly) efforts to live this life produce an abundance of the works of the flesh; sexual immorality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,envy, drunkenness (Galatians 5:19-21).

Focusing on our position in Jesus, our new identity, our inheritance, and praying for equipping and increasing love for others (1 Thessalonians 3:12, Hebrews 13:21), we “walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16), which results in the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  How fascinating is that!

You are not what you think you are,
but rather, what you think, you are.

This is why preaching the Gospel to ourselves is so important! Strengthening the ability to focus on one’s position/identity in Jesus, to “grow up into salvation” flows from pure spiritual food, God’s Word (1 Peter 2:2-3, Romans 12:1-2) and prayer for His wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17-18, Colossians 1:9).

Our salvation allows our missteps, our sin, but it is not a license to do whatever we want (Romans 6). God absolutely will be working in the life of a born again person. So if someone feels they can do whatever they want now that they are “saved,” it might be a good time to have them check if they are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5, Matthew 7:21, Luke 6:46, James 1:22).

But, as a reassurance, “If Saved, Always Saved.” We are eternally secure because we have been sealed at salvation. “So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory” (2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:12-14, John 6:37, John 10:27-29, Romans 11:29).

If you have ANY genuine questions, comments, concerns, thoughts, that you would like to share or express, please contact me! Thank you!

With love,
Diane