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For man’s services to be recognized and accepted by both God and Christ, and hence merit the promised inheritance, they should be done in accordance with what God wants.
INSPIRED BY GOD, Apostle Paul wrote: “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. …” (Rom. 8:17 New Living Translation). Clearly, to be an heir of God is a blessing that is immeasurable.
This is the reason many strive to be among His heirs, believing that it can be attained by serving Him in any means and by doing works they think are good like charity or generosity. They also believe that these works are enough proofs of being the Lord’s heirs.
The Holy Scriptures teach who the heirs of God are and how they can be identified among those who are hoping for His promised inheritance.
The children of God do not just know or recognize Him but, more importantly, they are known or recognized by God. This is what Apostle Paul said, thus:
“But now you know God, or better still, God knows you. … You are no longer slaves. You are God’s children, and you will be given what he has promised.” (Gal. 4:9, 7 Contemporary English Version)
Although it is important to profess belief in God, one should also make sure that he is recognized by God. The Lord Jesus Christ upholds the same policy. He says:
“When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God’s message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’ Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!’ Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do.” (Matt. 7:22-23, 21 Good News Bible)
Clearly then, for man’s services to be recognized and accepted by both God and Christ, and hence merit the promised inheritance, they should be done in accordance with what God wants.
What God wants for all men is for them to be brought or gathered together under Christ as head (Eph. 1:9-10 gnb). We can fulfill this will of God only by becoming members or parts of the one Church that is the body of Christ—the Church Of Christ (Eph. 5:23 nlt; Acts 20:28 Lamsa Translation).
Thus, people become God’s children, and therefore His heirs, when they join the true Church Of Christ or the Iglesia Ni Cristo. We should take note that what is numerous are the members and not the body. Thus, those who say that the true Church is composed of many believers coming from different religious bodies are mistaken. Members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo are therefore very fortunate because they are the ones recognized by God and are fellow heirs of Christ.
The importance of belonging to the Church Of Christ is emphasized by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, thus:
“‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father’… So Jesus spoke again: ‘In very truth I tell you, I am the door of the sheepfold… I am the door; anyone who comes into the fold through me will be safe’… ” (John 10:14-15, 7, 9 Revised English Bible)
Notice that those whom Christ recognizes as His own are inside a single fold or flock which is none other than the Church Of Christ (Acts 20:28 Lamsa). This is why we continue to invite people to join the Church Of Christ. It is the will of God and it is in this Church where we are certain of being recognized by Christ and God.
Joining the Church Of Christ is indispensable for attaining salvation. Thus, it is but right that we heed God’s call through the apostles, thus:
“Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward … For, as the scripture says, ‘Just a little while longer, and he who is coming will come; he will not delay. My righteous people, however, will believe and live; but if any of them turns back, I will not be pleased with them.’ We are not people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith and are saved.” (Heb. 10:35, 37-39 gnb)
We should not lose courage and we should not turn back no matter what problems or difficulties we may encounter in life. Let us not forget that turning our backs on God means outright rejection of our Creator (Jer. 15:6 gnb). Thus, in the face of all that is happening in the world now, we should not forget that for us to remain God’s children and thus, heirs to His promises, we should not only remain inside the Iglesia Ni Cristo but we should also have patience and endurance, undeterred in doing the will of God at all times, thus:
“For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.” (Heb. 10:36 Amplified Bible)
Truly, unconditional obedience to God is never a waste of time, energy, and resources. Thus, it is of utmost importance that we continue listening to and obeying the commandments of God. This is why we ought to heed God’s call through Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. In cases when we do not get to see or hear him in person, we ought to listen to and obey the ministers, ministerial workers, and Church officers whom God has placed in the Church to help the Presiding Elder in tending to the spiritual welfare of the Church members (Eph. 4:11-13 Norlie’s Simplified New Testament). Inspired by the example set by Brother Eduardo Manalo, they labor so that all of us will remain God’s children, worthy of receiving the promised inheritance.
As we continue our sojourn in this wicked world, let us not forget who we are: we are God’s children, His heirs to whom He promised life eternal. To receive our inheritance, God tells us, thus:
“Carefully walk a straight path, and all your ways will be secure. Do not lean to the right or to the left. Walk away from evil. … Let your eyes look straight ahead and your sight be focused in front of you.” (Prov. 4:26-27, 25 God’s Word)
Hence, we should not allow ourselves to deviate from the teachings of God continually taught in the Iglesia Ni Cristo. Should there be temptations, we should stand our ground. Let us be reminded that unconditional and constant obedience to God’s commands will ensure us not just of our eternal inheritance but even of our very needs in this life, thus:
“So don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing. Why be like the heathen? For they take pride in all these things and are deeply concerned about them. But your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to.” (Matt. 6:31-33 Living Bible)
Thus, for one to receive the blessings needed in this life, and most important of all, inherit the promised life eternal in the Holy City, he ought to be a faithful and obedient member of the Church Of Christ all the days of his life. By doing this, one proves that he is truly an heir of God.
This article was originally pusblished in the Pasugo: God’s Message magazine.
