God gives us life, both now in Christ and eternally in heaven.  This being the case, we do not owe anything to the flesh.

Romans 8:12–13 (ESV)
¹² So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh you will die…

We are not obligated to live according to the flesh, that is, to use our body as an instrument of unrighteousness (Romans 6:13).  If we live according to the flesh, it is by aspiration not obligation, and the result is death.

If, however, we live by the Spirit, meaning we allow the Spirit to lead us by His revelation, then we are children of God and have life.

Romans 8:13–14 (ESV)
¹³ …but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

If we are children of God, something we can be sure about because the Spirit bears witness of it with our spirit, then we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

Romans 8:16–17 (ESV)
¹⁶ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

No matter what has happened in your life today, whether you have had a good day, a bad day, or just a tiring day, you know that, as you read these words, you are an heir of God, and that matters.  It matters because it gives you the hope of a better day…a day in which you take ownership of your inheritance.   Peter once wrote about this inheritance.

1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV)
³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

Peter uses three terms to describe the inheritance of our hope.  Our inheritance is incorruptible – it is not liable to corruption or decay.  Our inheritance is undefiled – it is not susceptible to contamination. Finally, our inheritance fades not away – its beauty and splendor are perpetual.

How different is our inheritance from that of an earthly inheritance?  What can you inherit in this world that does not soon lose its attractiveness and appeal?  In fact, what can you inherit in this world that does not at some point perish altogether?  Can you think of anything?  You inherit money, and before you know it, someone else is spending it and soon it is gone.  You inherit a house, and before you know it, the roof is leaking, and the floors are squeaking.  You inherit your father’s business, and before you know it, instead of you running the business, the business is running you and your health begins to fail.  The truth is earthly inheritances do not offer much hope.

Our hope in Christ, on the other hand, involves an inheritance that is endless, eternal, and everlasting.  Our inheritance, Peter says, will never fade away.  We should never forget this regardless of how our day went today.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.