Preparing for an inheritance
Paul tells us that, in addition to being children of God, we are "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Romans:8:16-17
). If we are heirs, then we have an inheritance. The Bible reveals our inheritance not as a future of idleness and leisure but one of great responsibility.
). If we are heirs, then we have an inheritance. The Bible reveals our inheritance not as a future of idleness and leisure but one of great responsibility.
The Scriptures reveal that we will, in a real sense, inherit our Father's property and business. We have much to learn from our Father. He wants to give us time to grow. He wants to teach us what we will need to help us develop the character we must have.
No shortcut to this process exists. Knowledge is not enough. Character cannot develop overnight; it takes time and considerable effort. That is why Paul tells us that "indeed we suffer with Him [Christ], that we may also be glorified together" (verse 17). Even as Christ learned and was perfected by the things He suffered (Hebrews:5:8-9
), so we learn and become perfect through our adversities, to the end that we will share an inheritance with Him in the Kingdom of God.
), so we learn and become perfect through our adversities, to the end that we will share an inheritance with Him in the Kingdom of God.
The awesome promise of this shared inheritance—sonship in God's eternal family (Romans:8:14-23
)—helps explain why we must suffer. If our future were simply to lie around heaven and gaze upon God for eternity, as some imagine, then He could take us now or leave us here and protect us from any kind of adversity and pain. Such a role would require nothing on our part.
)—helps explain why we must suffer. If our future were simply to lie around heaven and gaze upon God for eternity, as some imagine, then He could take us now or leave us here and protect us from any kind of adversity and pain. Such a role would require nothing on our part.
But our future is much greater than that. The greater the responsibility He has in store for us, the greater are the challenges to get there.reparing for an inheritance
Paul tells us that, in addition to being children of God, we are "heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ" (Romans:8:16-17
). If we are heirs, then we have an inheritance. The Bible reveals our inheritance not as a future of idleness and leisure but one of great responsibility.
). If we are heirs, then we have an inheritance. The Bible reveals our inheritance not as a future of idleness and leisure but one of great responsibility.
The Scriptures reveal that we will, in a real sense, inherit our Father's property and business. We have much to learn from our Father. He wants to give us time to grow. He wants to teach us what we will need to help us develop the character we must have.
No shortcut to this process exists. Knowledge is not enough. Character cannot develop overnight; it takes time and considerable effort. That is why Paul tells us that "indeed we suffer with Him [Christ], that we may also be glorified together" (verse 17). Even as Christ learned and was perfected by the things He suffered (Hebrews:5:8-9
), so we learn and become perfect through our adversities, to the end that we will share an inheritance with Him in the Kingdom of God.
), so we learn and become perfect through our adversities, to the end that we will share an inheritance with Him in the Kingdom of God.
The awesome promise of this shared inheritance—sonship in God's eternal family (Romans:8:14-23
)—helps explain why we must suffer. If our future were simply to lie around heaven and gaze upon God for eternity, as some imagine, then He could take us now or leave us here and protect us from any kind of adversity and pain. Such a role would require nothing on our part.
)—helps explain why we must suffer. If our future were simply to lie around heaven and gaze upon God for eternity, as some imagine, then He could take us now or leave us here and protect us from any kind of adversity and pain. Such a role would require nothing on our part.
But our future is much greater than that. The greater the responsibility He has in store for us, the greater are the challenges to get there.
God bless you.
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