At what point according to the scriptures does one become a fellow heir?
Romans 8:16-17 tells us, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 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.” It is obvious from these verses that we become “heirs of God” and “joint-heirs with Christ” when we become “children of God.” When does that happen?
John 1:12 tells us, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” What a blessed truth! The moment we believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we immediately become the children of God, and thus we are the “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.”
When we trust Christ as our savior, we are adopted into the family of God. Romans 8:15 says, “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.” It is by this adoption that we are able to address God as our father! The term “Abba, Father” is significant because it is a term that the Lord Jesus, Himself, used towards the Father. We read these words from the Lord when He was suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.” (Mark 14:36). We also read in Galatians 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” With God as our Father through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have a great inheritance because we His beloved children.
The Apostle Peter speaks of our inheritance in 1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” As heirs of God, we have this wonderful inheritance. It is incorruptible (it does not decay); it is undefiled (it is pure, holy, and has no impurities); and it does not fade away (unlike the world and the things of the world which do fade away.) Our inheritance is in a safe and secure place…Heaven. No one can steal it, corrupt it, or defile it. We read in 2 Timothy 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
How precious the thought that the Lord does more than forgive us of our sins. He redeems us completely. He adopts us and makes us His children. With that, He gives us an inheritance that will last for eternity. (376.2)