“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin,
and so death spread to all men because all sinned"  (Romans 5:12, ESV)

At the moment we are born we become members of a family.  We get a family name and parents who are our legal representatives, able to speak on our behalf.  Our father is referred to as the head of our household.  At the terribly sad time when a family member dies, our relationship with them qualifies us to receive an inheritance at the reading of a will.  Whatever is “bequeathed” to us, is then legally ours and becomes our responsibility.

The same is true of all humanity.  Each of us is a branch on the family tree of Adam.  When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, the consequence of their sin, death, entered the world.  As the representative head of our “family,” Adam passed down this inheritance of sin and death to all who would be born.  We inherit a sin nature (a natural desire toward sin), and death… We sin because we are sinners.  There is nothing we can say or do to avoid this inheritance… Each of us receives it.  “None is righteous…” (Rom 3:10-12)  “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23)

But there is good news!  Jesus is not part of Adam’s family tree.  He doesn’t share the same inheritance of sin and death.  Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, and victorious resurrection make it possible for sinful people to be adopted into His family and become qualified to receive His inheritance – the forgiveness of sin, restored fellowship with God and life eternal! (1 Cor 15:22)  Those who come to understand our separation from God and our desperate need for forgiveness of sin, and then repent - trusting in Christ for salvation, become members of God’s family… forgiven, restored… adopted (Gal 4:4-5).  We receive Christ as the head of our family, Jesus is our representative before God the Father!  

So, how about you… Which inheritance will be yours? Follow Christ today.