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What else did you inherit?

Beyond your physical traits, talents, strengths, weaknesses, and disposition, you inherited a sin nature. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). You did not learn to sin, you do it by nature.

Just as we may inherit physical problems (i.e. allergies, diabetes) with their consequences, our sin nature also has a cost. Our sin nature separates us from the holy God. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). Our sin nature will bring death. “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

Can you inherit salvation and heaven?

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 15:50).

Many people understand that they have inherited a sin nature from their family; but they also want to believe that they have inherited the solution to their sin problem. Many people say,

“I have always been saved.”

“My granddaddy started a Baptist church, so I am all right.”

“I’ve been in church all my life, so I’m saved.”

“I am sure that I am going to heaven, because I am a deacon.”

These are man’s ideas of how to get to heaven. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). God says that “we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). You and I cannot be good enough to get to heaven. There is nothing in our own blood or bloodline that would pay the penalty for our sin.

There Is Hope in Christ’s Blood

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed [purchased] with corruptible things … But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Because we cannot pay our sin debt, Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, came to earth to take the punishment for our sin. Romans 5:8 says, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 Peter 3:18 states, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just [Jesus Christ] for the unjust [you and me], that He might bring us to God.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 explains, “…how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” The good news is that Christ died and rose again for YOU!

Eternal life is a gift, not something that you inherit. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

If you are willing to have a change of heart about your sin (repent) and simply trust in nothing but the person and finished work of Jesus Christ, you can KNOW that you are going to heaven when you die. Mark 1:15 says, “repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Romans 10:9,13 say, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

If you knew that you had inherited the genetic code for a deadly disease, you would pursue the best doctor that you could afford, so that you might avoid the consequence of that disease. You HAVE inherited a deadly disease (your sin nature) and the cure is at your disposal. You cannot earn it, you cannot buy it, you cannot get cured on your family’s merits—it is a free gift. Won’t you turn from your sin today and accept the gift that is available because of JESUS CHRIST’S BLOOD?

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