Heirs of God

To be an heir is bittersweet. The pain and sorrow of the death of a loved one is the path we must endure to receive an inheritance. Yet, it is a great honor and privilege to be an heir. When we think of an inheritance, we most often think of parents passing their possessions on to their children. In some instances an inheritance may involve numerous and valuable items, while in others it may be sparse. It is not the vastness or the financial worth of an inheritance which makes it valuable or an honor to be an heir. It is the relationship itself, as within each family each generation passes to their children physical valuables and spiritual values.

To receive an earthly inheritance may be sweet, but to receive a heavenly inheritance is supreme. The key to receiving this inheritance is relationship. We see it first in the relationship between God and Christ as Father and Son. It is the Father who has appointed His Son as heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2). We see this relationship extended to any man or woman who obeys through faith to become a child of God. “… God sent forth His Son … that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). “Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7). This relationship with God begins when we are spiritually born of God. John describes this as being ‘born of water and the Spirit.’ “… unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5-6). In his epistle to Titus, Paul portrays this spiritual birth as ‘the washing of regeneration (rebirth - NIV) and renewing of the Holy Spirit’ (Titus 3:5). It is by God’s design that as we are immersed in baptism, we receive this washing of rebirth and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This relationship between God (as our Father) and a new Christian (as His child) is now established. We ‘give thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers (heirs) of the inheritance of the saints in the light’ (Colossians 1:12).

As Christians we are equipped and qualified to be heirs of the eternal inheritance God has prepared for us. We are equipped as we are sealed with the Holy Spirit to identify us as the Lord’s. We are qualified through the Holy Spirit given us by the Lord as a form of a down payment to ensure that He will fulfill His promise. “… you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession …” (Ephesians 1:13-14). Our bodies and spirits are the Lord’s (I Corinthians 6:20). He has purchased and redeemed us in preparation for the inheritance He has promised us.

In spiritual terms, it takes our own physical death to receive the full blessing of our eternal inheritance. This is in contrast to the traditional perspective of children receiving an inheritance upon the death of a parent. To be an heir in this sense is also bittersweet, although the inheritance itself is eternally sweet. The bitter and sad part of being an heir is the death and separation from all earthly things and people. However, the beauty and happiness of the spiritual inheritance of a Christian is infinitely greater. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (I Peter 1:3-4). Any inheritance prepared and promised by God is magnificent. It is available to all and reserved in heaven for all Christians who are truly led by the Spirit of God. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. … The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:14-17). Is there a greater honor or privilege than to be an heir of God, joint heir with Christ, and be glorified together with Him? The words spoken by thousands of angels around the throne give us a perspective of Christ’s inheritance. “…Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing” (Revelation 5:12). In turn, this gives us a hint of our own inheritance. We will certainly not reign as Christ, but in some form we will reign with Him (II Timothy 2:12, Revelation 21:5). The power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing reserved in heaven for you as a faithful Christian far transcends anything you may imagine on this earth.

May we consider and appreciate the various scriptural and spiritual aspects of being an heir and both receiving and leaving an inheritance. Many of us have been the beneficiaries of strong spiritual teachings and examples from our parents. Each of us who are still living have a great opportunity as well as responsibility to our own heirs. May we leave a spiritual inheritance for them pointing to the spiritual treasures of heaven. The ultimate inheritance is one of eternal life, which only our heavenly Father may award. No other one compares to the glory of being an heir of God.

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (II Timothy 4:8).

The Gospel Message August 2006

by Kevin Ferguson