Article November 21, 1994 Issue

What is our real heritage?

Anthony D. T. Thomas

Some time ago my attention was caught by a television report of a blazing fire at Windsor Castle, a local landmark and a symbol of my country's history. It appeared in many ways that part of our national heritage was being destroyed. At the end of the program, I took time to get clear in my own thought what I considered to be my real heritage.

In this search for inspiration, I turned first to the Bible. I found two very helpful verses in Psalms: "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage" (16:5, 6). The "portion" of inheritance we receive is actually the whole because it is God, Spirit. The inheritance is not, then, a one-time gift. It comes from the very relationship of God to His children, which lasts forever. It is certainly a living inheritance, and because it partakes of the nature of God Himself, it must be spiritual and therefore indestructible. No wonder the Psalmist is so happy with his heritage!

What sort of freedom can be gained when we claim our spiritual heritage? Imagine that you are filling out a job or loan application. It might ask your race. Your date of birth. Sex. Academic achievements. Work history. Financial status. This list could form the basis of a so-called personal history. Yet such information represents an entirely material, mortal view of one's history. God is not aware of it, for God is infinite Spirit and man is His likeness. There is only one classification that God can have for us, His spiritual reflection: perfection.

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