Romans 8: 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17And 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.
This establishes in us a certainty of our relationship with the Lord. If we only had one chapter in the Bible in our possession, and Romans 8 was it, we would have enough. God’s love and salvation speak loud and clear. We can learn important truths of God about sin and the soul’s condition. This particular portion in verse 17 lets us know something wonderful. It’s possible. It’s a reality. All those who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior are children of God. IF children, THEN heirs. If heirs, we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus, the only begotten son. It means more than we realize to be a Christian.
As Christians we have something solid and enduring, something real in a world that’s mostly false, unreal, and counterfeit. The world gives us a picture that makes what is contrary to God seem pretty and what is in step with God out of step with living. Remember that it’s not how we’re recognized by the world that matters. It’s how God sees us that counts!
When we accepted Jesus as Savior, we didn’t receive another version of our old nature. We didn’t get an upgrade. We were born again. We can’t detail it out, but it brings a peace and settled-ness to life. The sin is lifted, and we’re born by the Spirit of adoption. A spiritual birth certificate goes into effect. We don’t receive a religion. God adopts us as one of his children. When we repented, the cleansing blood of Jesus birthed us into the family. We don’t have to call fire down from heaven to prove we’re a Christian. Being who God made us proves it. Becoming a child of God gives us a light. All we have to do is get out of the way and let it shine.
“If children” is the ground floor of heir-ship. We have assurance of heaven because this foundation. The Bible doesn’t tell us we go to heaven because we exist. We don’t go to heaven because we’re children of Christians. That won’t make us heirs. We can’t be a good neighbor and get to heaven. We must accept Jesus as Savior. We’re made heirs to heaven only when we become children of God. IF children, THEN heirs. We must believe on him whom God sent. I’m glad to be a child of God. I want to please him.
Those recently saved are just as much heirs as those of us who have been saved for decades. God chose for us all to be equal heirs. All of heaven is mine, and all of heaven is yours. What a gift! Eternal life and the inheritance of the Father are ours. When we sing blessed assurance Jesus is mine it means that we have a Father. That means we’re joint-heirs with Christ. The born again from every nation will be as one in that holy city of God.
Jesus was willing to step aside and share the kingdom of God with every believer. He allowed us to be part of the family, his family, as a joint-heir. As God’s adopted children, let’s be led by the only begotten son to the home of God. Jesus will come back one day and present us to the Father. That’s worth any sacrifice we have to make.
IF children, THEN heirs. Resolve to show forth and be a genuine child of God. Through Jesus Christ, whatever happens we can be found trusting God as children. IF children, THEN heirs.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 