We are heirs of the kingdom of God first and foremost because God first forgave us. And His banner of forgiveness remains over us when we walk in forgiveness in our personal lives. We must learn to pardon those who offend us. As we walk in forgiveness towards those who hurt us, we continually activate the love and the blessing of the Father into our lives. He shows us His mercy and we experience His Power and Presence.
In Colossians 1vs.12:14, the Bible says, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”. Until God forgave us, we were never delivered from sin. The power that darkness exercises over an individual only stands when sin has not been forgiven. When the Father forgives, He delivers that individual from the consequences of his mistakes and from the power of darkness. He translates that person into the kingdom of His dear Son and gives him an inheritance. Thus, the Father’s act of forgiveness snatches us from the power of darkness and transports us into a better kingdom-that of His dear Son. The effect of this forgiving grace should be seen in our lives as we show people who offend us this same measure of grace. Without doubt, as we forgive, we receive more grace from God in different walks of our lives. The truth is that we experience even more tangibly our inheritance as saints of the kingdom of light when we walk in forgiveness.
It’s important that we note the pattern of God’s manifestation. Preceding every new manifestation of His power and presence in our lives, we are most likely going to face some challenging experience(s) that will require us to mete out the grace of forgiveness. Certain things will be done to us within our space to test our capacity to let go. It is our ability to forgive that will release the next dimension of blessings into our lives. If we can let go, then we can take hold of the blessing. We must absolutely hold no grudge against anyone. If we bottle it up, we lock up God’s given potential inside of us.
Our inheritance is a provision or heritage we can never work for. That is, something that was given to us by someone we are in a relationship with in the same way a child does not work for his father’s inheritance. The father, having worked, writes his will and transfers his possessions to his child based on the father-child relationship. For instance, a five year old boy can have an inheritance that makes him a multi-millionaire without even knowing what it means to work. The possessions are transferred to him on the basis of his relationship with the person who bequeathed that inheritance to him.
In the same way, when God wants to bring about something new in your life, it is an inheritance He wants to give to you. This means favour would be shown on you. It comes into your life when you start to experience some form of discomfort in your natural terrain. The discomfort will test your ability to forgive. Learn to forgive everyone every hurt-that way you will never miss out of God’s unfolding grace!
“Poju Oyemade”