If a Son, Then an Heir

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son,.. to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:4-7

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places… In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ,.. to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved… 

“In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will… In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it.” Ephesians 1:3,5-6,11,13-14

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5

The Scriptures, themselves a treasure book, are clear that God through Christ redeemed His people to inherit eternity and every spiritual blessing. His word guarantees for His adopted children what is true now and certain to come. Heirs of grace are heirs forever.

A will spells out the inheritance to be received upon death of the purveyor. Every aspect of the gift cannot be accessed while the giver is alive, yet the heir is a beneficiary the moment the promise is transferred. He lives in confidence and anticipation of all that will be his, even if not yet fully vested. (Hebrews 9:16)

For us who are in Christ, the promises that became ours when He adopted us upon salvation have been in effect since His death on the cross. In a sense, we receive all when we receive Him as Savior and His Holy Spirit as a seal guaranteeing our redemption. Some aspects of what we own will not be fully realized until we see Him face to face. (1 Corinthians 13:9-12; 1 John 3:2)

What makes us, inheritors of the riches of grace and manifold fruit of the Spirit, choose to live as paupers? In decisions, interactions, and responses, do we ignore or implement our spiritual wealth? Joyfully convinced of our great inheritance, we can live in glad expectancy and bold faith. Will we walk with steadiness above our circumstances, strong in God’s might? Will we press on to know, revere, and adore the Promise-Giver, exploring the depths of His character and realizing the power He imparts? As His children, our hope is fixed, our future certain. (Romans 8:32; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 6:17-19; 11:8-10)

Father, may I, as heir to Your fortune of grace, faithfully and actively guard the heavenly deposit, and live each day with zeal and gratitude.