This key is for everybody.
The greatest heirloom that I can come up with that has been passed down from one generation to the next would be our heritage.
I guess a trove or burgeoning treasure chest is full of trinkets that have value. However, the Kingdom of Heaven is priceless. It’s enduring. Everlasting. It would seem to me that there is nothing that could even compare here on earth to what we are offered through belief in Jesus.
So I was digging around (figuratively only, since I am a Geologist… hee hee) and found this “key” verse:
Jesus said to Peter, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…” Matthew 16:19
Who holds the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven? When I started reading about this verse I was in shock… apparently, there are some who earnestly believe they hold the keys to heaven, like they decide who gets to go? What Jesus was referring to was the knowledge… that’s what He was passing on to Peter and other ministers in this passage… the knowledge that would allow one to enter the kingdom of heaven. Within the same passage Jesus states that He would establish and lead the New Testament Church and that He would be with us always, until the end of time.
God may use us to help others find the way, but the key to the greatest heirloom… the kingdom of heaven, is open to everyone who believes in Christ and obeys His words. This knowledge leads the way to salvation.
To me, this is the greatest gift that we can hand down to the next generation… spending time with our children and other young people who see God at work in our lives… and when they ask the question or whenever we have the opportunity, readily share with them the knowledge to the greatest heirloom of all time.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.” Romans 14:17-18
Does this sound like something that you would like to be a part of… to be an ancestor to, and yearn to share with others, a part of THE heritage?
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Yes, it’s a privilege, honor, and responsibility to share this heritage with our children!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Heather, much appreciated!
great post
what an heirloom to pass on
Thank you JB 🙂
Well, said Chris. I love how you always focus on loving your family. Great way to combine that with sharing the heritage as a child of God.
I feel so blessed to be able to spend so much time with my family, it’s really nice. Thanks Carol.
thanks for the post. Did we pick the same day? Mine is also up today (Nov. 7) here – http://www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com/2012/11/heirloom.html
Oh my gosh, how embarrassing! Sorry about that Tracy, for some reason I was a day ahead. I’m attributing this (along with all of my other befuddles) to old age 🙂
LOL! It happens! (Both making a mistake and getting old!) No sweat!
Thank you for understanding Tracy, I really appreciate it 🙂
Thanks Chris – definitely the greatest heirloom to be found.
Glad that you stopped by Bill, love what you’re doing at your place!
The keys Jesus was talking about are so easily understood, but actually the keys belong to all who believe. Just as you might give the keys of your house to everybody you trust, so Jesus hands out keys to those devoted to Him.
Great post, Chris!
~ VT
Yep, we can all visit Jesus’ place, very cool. Thanks Victor for stopping by and sharing here!
So thankful that I was told about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a treasure indeed and I pray I can share it with the generations that will follow me, too. If we don’t share, how will they know?
Me too KeriMae, thankful…
Good message, Chris. Thank you. Blessings.
Thank you Stephanie for stopping by and sharing here, I appreciate it!
Matthew 16:19 was one of the first verses that really stood out to me after I came to the Lord. Nice to be reminded of it again.
God bless you, brother.
That’s very cool Deborah, I just seem to have found this verse myself on my journey. It’s interesting to learn about other people, and how each of our paths differ and how God has touched our lives. Thank you for sharing here.