Legendary
basketball coach, Dean Smith, grew up in a small Kansas town, the son of
Baptist school teachers. He only wanted to be a basketball coach. When he was a
bench-warmer for Kansas, he’d closely watch Jayhawks’ legendary coach, Phog
Allen, a man who learned the game from James Naismith himself. In the end, a
man who grew up hoping to coach basketball ended up doing so much more.
Dean
Smith died at his home on Feb. 7, 2015. He was 83. Yet, though he was gone, he
wasn’t done giving to the players that he’d coached during his 36-year career
as the University of North Carolina men's basketball coach. His will designated
that each of the lettered players who’d played for him during his long career
be sent a $200 check after his death to “enjoy a dinner out.” In total, Dean
Smith gifted $36,000 by giving each one of his 180 former lettered players $200
each.
The Bible says that giving is better than receiving. Former University
of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith made sure this was the case for
his former players, even after he was gone. And his final act of generosity moved
his former players. Former center, Serge Zwikker, said that he teared up when
he opened the letter and he’ll never cash the check. “Even after he passed, he
was still all about his players,” Zwikker said.
Because Jesus died on the cross, those who have trusted Him as their
Savior, also have an inheritance. Unlike most inheritances, the One who gave us
ours isn’t dead – He’s alive and will be forevermore! Today and every Sunday
(not just on Easter), we celebrate that our Lord is alive. Yet, sadly, too many
Christians eek out an impoverished spiritual existence, never claiming the
inheritance that they have in Christ.
Imagine for a moment that a distant relative has
included you in his will. As part of the execution of that will, money is
placed into a bank account for you and you’re notified of that fact. But somehow
you foolishly reason, “It can't be true!” Or, you never get the notification…or
worse, you forget all about it. So you never bother to write a check against
that account. Although you have the inheritance, you don’t benefit from it
because you lack the faith and willingness to claim it. How tragic!
Because Jesus died for us, we’re heirs of God
the Father. As children of God, we must be aware of our
spiritual inheritance and claim it by faith. As we do, we begin to experience
the abundant spiritual riches God has for us as His children.
This inheritance is both present and
future. Periodically, a wealthy person will divide his inheritance into
two parts for his children. He gives them some of their inheritance now and
some later. For example, he may help his son start a business or help his
daughter purchase a home. They will receive additional money from time to time
as they demonstrate that they can handle it well. But the bulk of their estate
will come later.
In the same way, increasing spiritual maturity and
faith release increasing measures of our spiritual riches. The riches begin the
moment we become Christians, yet the full riches of our relationship with God
will be revealed when we’re finally Home in heaven.
Christianity though isn’t just about heaven
or after this life is over. The child of God has an inheritance that’s beyond
words now, today!
Some years ago, Dr. Lewis
Sperry Chafer, the founder and first president of Dallas Theological Seminary,
wrote a wonderful article entitled, “The Riches of Grace in Christ Jesus – God’s 33
Precious Promises.” And even that
doesn’t scratch the surface of our riches in Christ. Let me just touch on three
blessings that the believer has now, in this life.
1. We have God’s help for day to day living.
Loneliness is a terrible malady of our world, yet the believer is never
alone and never without God’s help. God has given us Himself to us in the
person of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Admittedly, we all need help at various
times. We humans are often quite helpless. We need the Lord’s comfort, peace
and rest in life. We also need His grace and wisdom with raising our children, in
our marriages, with our work and all of our relationships. God will help us
with all of these and much more if we’ll seek Him and His guidance in His Word.
We’re empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches us how to really live.
His name is “Counselor” and our counselor isn’t guessing. God’s Word is always
true and right. God knows what He’s talking about in His Word. The Bible is a
trustworthy instruction manual and our heavenly Father is all-powerful and
all-wise. Whatever it is that we must do or face in life, the Lord is willing
to help us and guide us. He’s always just a prayer away.
2.
We have God’s provision for our needs. God has promised to take care of
His children. David said, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I
have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging
for bread” (Psalm 37:25).
Our Father has promised to take care of us, to remember us and
provide for us. Of course, He only promises to provide for our needs, not
necessarily our wants. The truth is that He over-abundantly blesses us and wonderfully,
He even gives us the grace to learn to be content.
3.
We have confidence even facing death. One of this life’s greatest fears
is death, but the Lord Jesus conquered death. Because Christ paid the penalty
for our sin, for the believer, death is a shadow (Psalms 23), just an entry
into the real world, heaven and eternal life. That’s why the Apostle Paul said,
“Yes, we
are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and
at HOME with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Are
you afraid to face death? To face God in death? You don’t have to be, you can
be part of God’s Forever Family today and an heir. Put your trust in the only
One who has conquered death, Jesus Christ. Make this your best Easter ever.
Trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today!
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