49. Heirs of God
Romans 8:17 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.
It is enough to be children of God, but that promise implies another precious promise: we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. Being joint heirs with Christ means that we inherit everything that The Son inherits. By faith we identify with Him in His death, His burial, His resurrection, His ascension, His sitting at the right hand of God and His coming to judge the living and the dead. We are exalted with Him and glorified with Him.
As heirs we inherit the Land promised to Abraham, the Kingdom promised to David, the Paradise promised to the thief on the cross, and all the gifts and blessings promised to the Church. Included in that inheritance is Eternal Life in the New Jerusalem in the new heaven and the new earth. Included in that inheritance is open access to the throne of grace with the privilege of prayer. Included in that inheritance is the forgiveness of sin and the granting of righteousness earned by Christ. Included in that inheritance is the victory of the soul over the three spiritual enemies. Included in that inheritance is everything that God owns, which is everything that is good.
Inheritance is a guarantee, something that no one can take away. It is a certainty even more sure than a promise. The only hitch is that the inheritance does not belong to the heir until the owner dies. Then the heir owns what is stipulated in the will and testament. Then, upon death, the hundreds of promises contained in the Old Testament and New Testament are realized. Good News! God died: when the Son of God died on the cross. Now by faith the promises of the inheritance belong to us. We have it now, but we can’t fully enjoy them until we die, when sin, death and the devil no longer exist for us. For now, in this life we have the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession.