Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

As I am reading this, it occurs to me that the people of the time, the Jews upon which this gospel first fell, would have had their ears perked up at the sound of one word in this passage.

Inheritance.

This word of faith in Christ is new to them, but inheritance had a deep cultural implication upon which their understanding was not based on faith. I do not have that cultural understanding. Inheritance was not my experience. I do however know human instincts and why certain words carry more meaning when heard.

I knew the power of sin in my life. I wasn’t blaming Satan for those sins, I owned them. Forgiveness held more sway over me than inheritance. I knew nothing about sanctification nor spiritual blindness, so I didn’t have a complete understanding about this passage. I did however have enough interest in forgiveness to inquire more.

Does it mean that those who heard “inheritance” didn’t find the Lord? No not at all but knowing humanity as I do, some would come to a point and say “This wasn’t what I was looking for.” All of these things and more are founded on the same thing, the promises of God.

For anyone who has a mentality of instant reward, such as receiving an inheritance, may find disappointment. The truth of God’s promises are time sensitive. Some we can receive instantly, some we will receive on this journey. The powerful and important ones will not be received until this journey is over. Because of this believing on Him who makes those promises and a correct understanding of those promises is critical.