Our Inheritance In Christ

Romans 8:14-17, 22-27

Back in the days when orphanages were more common, it was the hope of every young child to one day be adopted.  The child would pray that they would be adopted by nice and loving parents, and what good favor if those parents were also wealthy!  This was especially true if the orphanage was a harsh place, run by an unloving staff. In our Scripture passage today we read of a very special adoption that has taken place, which you are a part of if you have accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior.  Let’s take a look at this together.

The very moment we are saved, not only are we guaranteed a place in heaven and have escaped hell and judgment, but we are adopted into God’s family and become His children (vs. 14-17).  We are given the Holy Spirit at that time to dwell within us, as well. He lets us know that God has made us His children. We can come to Him without fear, as He is our beloved Father. The word “Abba” is an ancient Aramaic word meaning daddy or papa.  He is not a stern, unloving, uncaring father, but a beloved daddy. The unsaved are held captive to their fear of death and the final judgment. We do not need to have that fear anymore. We might wonder if we are truly God’s children (vs. 16), and for this reason the Holy Spirit confirms to us that we truly are by the fruit He produces in us (Galatians 5:22-23) and the power He gives us for service (Acts 1:8).

Another wonderful benefit of being adopted into God’s family is that now we are not only His children, but we are also heirs of God, and a joint heir with Jesus! (vs. 17).  We will receive by divine grace the full inheritance that Jesus receives by divine right. In our laws, if one is a joint heir of an inheritance, than each party receives an equal portion.  God’s Word states here that we are joint heirs with Jesus! Whatever Jesus has through inheritance has become ours through the very same inheritance. Jesus is pleased to share the richness of His Father’s inheritance with us believers!  I am an heir of God and joint heir with Jesus! If you have accepted Him as your Savior, you are too!

With the way our lives are sometimes, we might wonder if all of this will ever happen.  As Paul says here in Romans, we groan and labor throughout life (vs. 22). God has given us His promise, and provided the Holy Spirit for us as a first fruit (vs. 23).  First fruits in nature are a guarantee that there will be more fruit following. The first fruits the Holy Spirit produces in us provides hope that we will one day be like Christ.  It is the first installment, or down payment as a guarantee of our resurrection life. God never makes a promise that He won’t keep. It may take longer than we care for, but we need to put our confidence in His goodness and wisdom (vs. 24-25).

Paul speaks of another blessing in this Scripture passage that the Holy Spirit gives His children.  Have you ever faced some times when you, a friend or loved one had a major crisis and you just couldn’t find the right words to pray to God?  It is then that the Holy Spirit steps in and prays for us (vs. 26-27). Even when we don’t know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for us, and God answers.  The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will.

Sometimes our prayers just come out in a muddled mess.  We just don’t know what to say to God for some important matter.  The Holy Spirit knows how to reshape our prayers and to present them to God perfectly.  There may be times when we have been urgently asked to pray for someone, but we don’t know any details, whether they are sick or hurt, or what.   We don’t know what’s wrong. Thankfully the Holy Spirit does. He knows everything about us and about the people we are praying for. In these times no words are necessary because the Father understands and agrees with what the Spirit thinks.  He is always praying what is best for us.

Perhaps some believers have no one to pray for them.  They may be permanently home-bound, or live somewhere where there are no churches or even where Christianity is illegal.  They do not need to despair. The Holy Spirit is praying for them, too.

What a blessing to know that when we are saved, God has adopted us into His family, and promised us a glorious inheritance!  And not only that, while here on earth we have both Jesus interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25), and the Holy Spirit taking our feeble prayers, making them perfect, and presenting them to the Father for us!