Joint Heirs Through Grace

Prayer:  Thank You, Lord, for giving showing Your awesome grace toward us.  While we in our sins You rescued us from sin and death.  Your gift of faith gave us opportunity to believe.  We are and will continue to be eternally thankful.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen!

Main Scripture: Romans 8:12-17, NKJV

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "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 joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together (vs. 15-17).

Associated Scriptures:

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:8-10).

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 1:13-14).

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised (Hebrews 6:12).

Correlative Quotes:

…the child of God by faith can draw on his spiritual wealth because he is an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). The Spirit teaches us from the Word, and then we receive God's wealth by faith. What a thrilling thing it is to have "the Spirit of adoption" at work in our lives!  There is no need for the believer to be defeated. He can yield his body to the Spirit and by faith overcome the old nature. The Spirit of life will empower him. The Spirit of death will enable him to overcome the flesh. And the Spirit of adoption will enrich bun and lead him into the will of God.[1] – Warren Wiersbe

God does not want His children to be in fear. When Jesus Christ died the sword of judgment was forever sheathed in His body, and not even God Himself can draw it forth to strike a man who has put his trust in the Savior. Therefore, we have not been given the spirit of bondage which would inspire fear within our hearts, but we have received the Holy Spirit of adoption, by virtue of which we cry, "Abba, Father."[2] – John F. Walvoord

Study:

Live according to the Spirit, Paul says in verse 14, since we are the sons of God.  We have not received the Spirit of fear, that we would continue to struggle with this world, but the Spirit of adoption, where we are now God’s.  Through the Spirit, we can live a life of peace (John 14:27).  Not the world’s peace, which always leads to discontent and destruction, but God’s peace that leads to happiness and fulfillment.

Due to our spiritual relationship, we are “heirs to God and heirs with Jesus Christ.” (vs. 17) But what are we heirs to? 

1. Heirs to suffering: Paul tells us, in this section of his letter to the Romans, that we are one with Christ and His family (heirs). We will suffer in this world as He suffered and as all creation suffers. We suffer due to sin.  The old nature that continually rebels against God dominates and controls the world system. 
2. Heirs to hope: “But we are saved with a hope, a hope that is not seen but believed, and we wait patiently for that day when we will see Christ face to face” (vs. 8:24). Read Corinthians 13:12-13. In the meantime, Paul tells us that we have the Spirit who is our eternal associate living in us and helping us with our “infirmities” our frailty.
3. Heirs of a lasting relationship: Jesus through the power of the Spirit is our intercessor. He intervenes, mediates, comforts, pleads and negotiates our case before God (1 John 2:1-2). He is there to help us make the right decisions, but when we don’t, He is there to redirect our walk (Proverbs 3:5-6).  When we are weak, He comforts us (Isaiah 51:12).  When we are physically sick, He is the great physician (Psalms 103:3).  When we are spiritually sick, He convicts and drives us to

repentance ((John 16:8)).  When we ask Him to provide us with forgiveness, He is there to bring us back into fellowship with Him (1 John 1:9).

4. Heirs to the doctrines of God: We have the word of God that is interpreted for us by the Holy Spirit. He is our teacher (John 14:26). He will help us to discern truth from error when we read or listen to what others say.
5. Heirs to the world: we are heirs to the world and all that is in it (1 Corinthians 3:22). If we belong to God, and we do, if we are His children, and we are, then we are heirs to all that God owns. He owns this world.  So, we are heirs to this earth (Psalms 24:1).  As a result, we should care for it, pray for it and its inhabitants, and respect and embrace its potential.  

Summary Statement:

If there were no afflictions and difficulties and troubles and pain, our fallen hearts would fall ever more deeply in love with the comforts and securities and pleasures of this world instead of falling more deeply in love with our inheritance beyond this world, namely, God himself. Suffering is appointed for us in this life as a great mercy to keep us from loving this world more than we should and to make us rely on God who raises the dead. "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).  There is no other way. Do not begrudge them.[3] – John Piper

Lessons within the Lesson:

What does it mean to be heirs of God?

In what ways are we heirs with Jesus?

Who gives us our inheritance and how do we use it wisely?

What is the greatest gift we receive as an heir?

[1] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary. Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

[2] John F. Walvoord, Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries. All rights reserved.

[3] John Piper, Children, Heirs, and Fellow Sufferers, , used with permission By John Piper. ©2015 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org.