HEIRS OF THE FATHER AND JOINT HEIRS WITH THE SON

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3: 27 – 29).

The word “heir” according to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon means, “to possess of Christians, as exalted by faith to the dignity of sons of Abraham and so sons of God, and hence to receive the blessings of God’s kingdom promised to Abraham.” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says the word denotes “one who obtains a lot or portion.” It carries with it the idea that all children of God are heirs to an inheritance that is yet to come. But when do Christians become heirs? They become heirs when they put Jesus Christ on in baptism and are born again to be adopted by the Father (John 3:3, 5; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5). If you’re a child of God, then you are an heir according to the promise of God.

In order to understand the great promise of God, we must return to when the promise was originally given. The covenant and promise was given to Abraham. God promised that through Abraham’s seed a nation would inherit a land that God would give them. He also promised that through Abraham’s seed all nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). God renewed the promise of a nation and land in Genesis 15:3-6. The heir to these promises first was Isaac. God renewed the covenant with him in Genesis 26:3-4. The heir to Isaac was Jacob. And God renewed the same promise to Jacob that he had made to Abraham and Isaac (Gen. 28:13-14). It was through one of Jacob’s sons that the seed promise would be fulfilled, that son was Judah (Gen. 49:10). The seed promise made by God was the Messiah coming to bring salvation.

Genesis 15:6 declares that Abraham believed and obeyed the God of heaven. Other New Testament passages show that Abraham trusted in God’s word and was obedient. Thus, he was called a friend of God (Rom. 4:3-6, 20-25; Gal. 3:6; Heb. 11:8-17; Jas. 2:20-25).

God promised that through Abraham’s seed all families of the earth would be blessed in the Messiah. The promise was for those who follow the Messiah, they would never die, share in the blessings, and would receive an inheritance. (John 3:15; 6:35, 40; Heb. 1:1-4).

Paul said in Ephesians 1: 9 – 14, that “He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you

were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:10-14). We know that this promise is sure and true because God cannot lie and He sent Christ to purchase our souls (Gal. 4:4; Tit. 1:2).

Since the Law could not take away sins, there had to be something better. Jesus Christ came and was the perfect sacrifice for sin. His death made possible the forgiveness of sins, even the sins of the whole world. He bore them all — the sins of those under the Old Law and those who were living during the Patriarchal age (Isa. 53:5, 8, 10-12; Heb. 10:12). He offered himself just once for all time (Heb. 9:28; 10:8-14). Christ’s death opened the door of salvation for all mankind — the perfect, great salvation (Heb. 2:3; Eph. 2:11-22). Jesus’ instructions were for people to believe, repent and be baptized (Mark 16:16; Luke 24:47). The apostles followed those instructions by preaching it (Acts 2:38-40). The Jews on Pentecost believed it and obeyed it (Acts 2:41). When we follow those same instructions, we become heirs as all who have obeyed the Lord (Gal. 3:27-29). Those who obey share in the blessings (Eph. 1:3; Rom. 8:28-30). We become members of the body of Christ — the church (Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18). The body is where God wants all to be one (John 17:20-21; Gal. 3:14; Eph. 3:6). The inheritance will be given when Christ returns or if we should die first and after we face God on the Judgment Day (2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 2:10; 1 Pet. 1:4; Heb. 4:9-11).

If in Christ, then are we Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise. Our responsibility is to proclaim the great message of salvation to all (Matt. 28:18-20). God’s promises are sure and true, our hope is tied into them (Heb. 6:13-15, 18-20). We wait for the new heavens and new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Pet. 3:9-13). Those who obey can receive the blessings and become “heirs according the promise” as well. Brethren, let us remain faithful and loyal to God and keep the promise of the inheritance.

Song:              We are heirs of the Father

                        We are joint heirs with the Son

                        We are children of the kingdom

                        We are family, we are one. (Romans 8: 17).

 Blessed are you, for this wonderful opportunity graciously provided for you to become fellow heirs to the great and precious promises made to Abraham. May you not lose it in Jesus name.