and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:17)

To be a son or daughter to someone means we stand to inherit what our parents leave behind when they pass from this life to the next.

In terms of the royal throne, the child inherits the kingdom. Sons and daughters are heirs to the ability rule and govern.

Inheritance was possibly more significant in biblical times than it is today. Land stayed in the family. Inheritance comes with privileges, rights, and responsibilities. It’s not that there is less at stake today, but the implications were different.

Many of us are well established by the time we receive an inheritance and for some, maybe there is nothing to receive at all, especially after taking care of elderly parents and making sure that all their needs were met.

The story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) shows us best what it looks like from the Father’s perspective. Our position in the family is protected in that sense when we return to the loving arms of the Father. Inheritance squandered or not, the Father welcomes the prodigal son with open arms and restores him to his original position in the family.

We stand to inherit the Kingdom, and if we are heirs, we are co-heirs with Christ. This means we get to reign with Him, not just in the life to come but in this life already.

Reigning with Christ means dispelling the kingdom of darkness by healing people, setting them free from bondage, calling them into their rightful destiny, and teaching them how to be proper heirs.

Reigning with Christ also means co-laboring with Him. We get to co-create with God. When God spoke, He created. Part of the prophetic means that we get to co-create with Him in the sense that our words carry with them the power to create a new reality. We get to speak things into being. We get to shape the course of history. This does not mean that whatever we speak automatically happens, but it does mean that we get to participate with God in this process. For Samuel the Lord made sure that none of his words fell to the ground. (1 Samuel 3:19)

There is no formula for making sure that none of our words fall to the ground. This is only said of Samuel and there is no explanation given. Obviously, the favor of the Lord was on him.

May the favor of the Lord be upon you today.

By Ralph Veenstra