Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him… This little word "if" intimates to us that all men are not children of God. No doubt there is a sense in which His intelligent creatures generally may be regarded as His offspring. But the title "sons of God" is confined exclusively to those who have been re-created in His image. I. How, then, MAY WE KNOW WHETHER WE BE THE CHILDREN OF GOD OR NOT? 1. By the consciousness we have that we have complied with those conditions of repentance and faith, on the fulfilment of which the privilege is suspended. 2. By believing the testimony of the Word, which declares that all those who thus repent and believe are acknowledged to be the children of God. 3. By considering the fruits of grace in our lives, and then comparing these with the characteristics of sonship which are delineated in the Word of God. 4. By the fact that we have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 5. By the direct witnessing of the Spirit itself, with and to our spirits, that we are the children of God. II. " IF CHILDREN, THEN HEIRS." The children of the wealthy and noble are the heirs of nobility and wealth. Now, it is not strange that God's children should also be heirs; for who is so rich and noble as their Heavenly Father? 1. They come into possession of their inheritance, not on the death of their Father (for He can never die), but when they reach their majority. This occurs at different periods of spiritual life, and under varying circumstances of purification and trial; for some are no sooner born of God than they are ready for translation, while others have, like the Captain of their salvation, to "be made perfect through suffering." 2. That inheritance is — (1) A reality. It may not, indeed, consist of tangible tenements, land, silver and gold; but it does consist of all that can gratify the cravings of an immortal spirit. Whether you call heaven a place or a state, it is a possession and an enjoyment — (2) Vast and grand, surpassing all that earthly potentates have ever coveted or earthly conquerors won. (3) Pure and undefiled, neither acquired by injustice nor retained by wrong. (4) Ensured. Every child of the new birth is born to it; nor is there any man who can rob him of it. (4) Enduring. It fadeth not away. (5) There is this difference, that whereas on earth the portion of each diminishes as the number of heirs is increased, in heaven it is quite the reverse. Have we not, then, a direct interest in seeking to take others with us to glory? III. "JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST." 1. Our heavenly happiness is to be of the same nature as His. If His consists of transcendent holiness, and dignity, authority, and power, then ours will comprehend the same elements of felicity. 2. Our happiness will be realised in the same state, or place, or sphere as His. Where He is, we shall be also. 3. Our inheritance has been purchased, or procured by the same means as His. By His sufferings, for after these came the glory; and all those sufferings were endured for us. Jesus has conquered for us our inheritance by the conquest of His own.In conclusion: 1. Be humble. The heirs of earthly kingdoms are apt to be elated with pride in proportion to the magnitude of their prospective possessions. But with the sons of God, the clearer their views of future glory, the more astounded are they with the greatness of the gift of God; and this proportionally makes them feel their own unworthiness. 2. Be hearty. How much owest thou to thy Lord? How, then, shouldst thou love, praise, own, obey, and serve Him! 3. Be holy. Thou art an heir of glory. How, then, shouldest thou prepare for it? (T. G. Horton.) Parallel Verses KJV: And 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. |
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