Every year during the month of September a strong sense of ‘Africanism’ and philosophies such as ubuntu are evoked in all South Africans, as we are reminded of our various yet unifying traditions and cultures as South Africans. Heritage is universally defined as something handed down from one generation to another; secondly, it usually stems from an individual’s natural situation or from birth such as customs, possessions, and traditions. Our heritage as Christians found ‘in Christ’ (Ephesians 3:19-22) shapes our identity central to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Christ gave us a spiritual heritage which is intangible meaning that it cannot be taken away from us, contrary to earthly possessions that are tangible heritage.
Tangible: earthly heritage
By the time the Israelites left Egypt and eventually entered the Promised they had lived in Egypt for 400 years, although they retained their primary heritage as Israelites. However, Egyptian customs, traditions, values, and way of living infiltrated their Israelite heritage. The Israel that entered Egypt was not the same Israel that left Egypt and entered the promised land. For example, Zulu expression today is different from that of 100 years ago, how significant then would transformation spanning 400 years be for God’s people! This speaks to the tangibility and fluidity of our earthly heritages, constantly influenced by the changing world. Earthly heritage, usually possessions such as money, inheritance, are wonderful gifts and have value that add enjoyment to our lives and help define who we are. However, earthly heritages are temporary, but by no means negative. Scripture tells us that “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). Our eyes should not be fixed on what passes with time (Matthew 24:35) but rather on what is eternal and remains forever, never changing and ending (Matthew 6:19; Colossians 3:1–4).
Intangible: Spiritual heritage
The Word of God is the foundation and rock of our faith and truth in Jesus Christ, revealing His nature through relationship with humanity and creation. The godly find their sufficiency in God, and they view God’s Word as their heritage: “Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart” (Psalm 119:111). Scripture is the true and unchanging heritage that God gave us, His children, which remains constant throughout the ages. The heritage of believers is eternal life, which is only found in God through Jesus Christ. Therefore, shaping our being and identity should reflect the eternal God in our doing, and saying. This intangible heritage in Christ requires us to set our hearts and minds on things above which are not earthly (Colossians 3:1-4). The beauty and privilege of our spiritual heritage can never be taken away from us by anyone or anything. Our heritage is rich in love, peace, and unity. Whatever the circumstances of life, let us strive to be like Jesus (everyday) by so doing our identity in Christ will inform our earthly heritage which was left to us by our forefathers.
Hi Lieutenant Benedict. I like when you say that our identity in Christ will inform our earthly heritage. Most of the misunderstandings happen when we do it the other way oround disfiguring the biblical Christ.