An Heir of Holiness!
The oldest heir of a household in the nation of Israel held a place of high honor. This son would receive a double portion of the father’s property when the inheritance was divided. Further in Israel it was all but impossible for someone outside of the father’s clan or tribe to inherit his property upon his death. That is why Paul using the illustration of being a joint heir with Christ is so significant in making a statement about our position with God. The apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit asserts the following: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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. Romans 8:14-17
It is very important to note here that we are not considered as slaves when it comes to the inheritance of God but as being his heirs. In Genesis God instructed Abraham through the mouth of his wife Sarah to cast out the slave and the son of the slave that they not share in the inheritance. So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac." And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, "Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. Genesis 21:10-12 Paul directly quotes this passage of scripture in Galatians 4:30 making the same point there as is being made here.
The slave, the child of the flesh, can not and will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But you and I are not children of the flesh, but sons through adoption by the Spirit, and therefore can share in the inheritance. But what shall we inherit? In this passage of scripture as we look through it is obvious that Paul has been speaking of sanctification (holiness), and it is that sanctification practically lived out in our lives that we can inherit. We don’t have it by ourselves, only God has it by himself, but because of adoption we can inherit it. I don’t know about you but inheriting the holiness of God sounds pretty good, and I definitely want to share a portion of that! However if we are to inherit as a part of the family we have to suffer as a part of the family as well. That is why Paul says at the end of verse 17 "provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
Father,
One who adopted me and made me a joint heir. May I truly live, walk, and be a child of yours. Father may I suffer with the suffering of Christ in order that I too may be glorified with him.
It is very important to note here that we are not considered as slaves when it comes to the inheritance of God but as being his heirs. In Genesis God instructed Abraham through the mouth of his wife Sarah to cast out the slave and the son of the slave that they not share in the inheritance. So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac." And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. But God said to Abraham, "Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. Genesis 21:10-12 Paul directly quotes this passage of scripture in Galatians 4:30 making the same point there as is being made here.
The slave, the child of the flesh, can not and will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But you and I are not children of the flesh, but sons through adoption by the Spirit, and therefore can share in the inheritance. But what shall we inherit? In this passage of scripture as we look through it is obvious that Paul has been speaking of sanctification (holiness), and it is that sanctification practically lived out in our lives that we can inherit. We don’t have it by ourselves, only God has it by himself, but because of adoption we can inherit it. I don’t know about you but inheriting the holiness of God sounds pretty good, and I definitely want to share a portion of that! However if we are to inherit as a part of the family we have to suffer as a part of the family as well. That is why Paul says at the end of verse 17 "provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
Father,
One who adopted me and made me a joint heir. May I truly live, walk, and be a child of yours. Father may I suffer with the suffering of Christ in order that I too may be glorified with him.
posted by Pastor Jerry at
6:05 AM
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