Category Archives: Heirs

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Appointed, Bible, Creator, Hebrews, Heirs, Promises, Scripture, Words

A NEW SPOKESMAN

HEBREWS 1:2

“in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.”

I love to hear a good story told by someone who lived through the event. I’ve known some veterans who survived some horrific battles in World War II, the Vietnam War or the Iraq War. Their stories hold more meaning because they are telling it from a first person account. They knew exactly what happened. You can hear it in their voice. And almost every one of them give God the credit for bringing them home.

Jesus is the One Who tells the story of grace because it is a first person account for Him. He is the giver of grace through His Father. He has the authority given to Him by His Father. That was evident from the moment of creation. We are told that nothing exists that did not come from Him. That is why He can tell the story so well. Let’s look at why.

ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)

In today’s verse I can see a promise to claim clearly in the first phrase, “in these last days has spoken to us in His Son.” His words were the Father’s words. Five times in the gospel of John, Jesus as much. In John 12:49-50 we read, “‘49For I did not speak on My own, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.’” Again in John 8:28: “So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.’” Other references include John 7:16; 8:26 and 14:10.

I also see something new about God. The writer says Jesus was “appointed heir of all things.” Who appointed Him? The same person Whose words He spoke – the Father. That word “appointed” is tithémi which literally means to place, to set, to appoint or to establish. It’s an Aorist Indicative Active verb (I know that just blessed your heart, lol). That means it was a fact it happened and God did the appointing. All that is belongs to Him and He still chose to come and tell God’s story of His love for us.

Have you stopped lately to thank the Lord for making such a sacrifice? He gave up heaven to come to earth to be treated so poorly. All He did while He was here was love people and tell them how much the Father loved them. He knew His purpose for coming meant a cruel death on a cross. He gave it all for you and me. Give Him praise today. Thank Him for His story telling. It changed the world.

Father God, I praise You and Your Son, Jesus, for the love story You have written on my heart.

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Bible, Children, Christ, Father, Heirs, Inheritance, Romans, Scripture

HEIRS OR JOINT HEIRS

ROMANS 8:17

“and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

You and I read often about adult children who inherit millions for dollars from their parents only to blow it within a short period of time. Because they did nothing to earn it, they don’t have an appreciation what it cost their parents. They feel entitled to it. Many very successful celebrities have pledged to leave the majority of his wealth to charity to encourage their children to make their own money. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t think that way?

In today’s verse, Paul tells us just how blessed we are. Because we are children of God, we are “heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.” In this phrase we see “heirs” mentioned three times. But we need to look closely at the original language to see a truth that is not easily revealed in the English translations.

APPLICATION

The Greek word for “heir” is kléronomos which means to distribute by lot. Land or possessions were divided by casting lots to decide who got what. All legitimate claims would be settled this way. So, the thing (money, land, servants) in question would be divided.

In our verse today, it seems that Paul writes “heirs” first and then goes on to clarify the inheritance. Each mention of being heirs intensifies. First, it’s just “heirs.” Then he writes “heirs indeed of God.” The little Greek word for “indeed” is not translated in the New American Standard. But this little word intensifies the phrase. It could read, “also heirs, heirs indeed of God…”

And then we get to the next escalation in Paul’s words. He changes the Greek word from kléronomos to sygklēronómos which comes “from sýn, ‘closely identified with’ and klēronómos.” (HELPS Word-studies). I believe the Topical Lexicon defines sygklēronómos well. “The term translated ‘fellow heir’ underscores a covenant reality in which more than one party receives the same promised inheritance. Rather than dividing an estate, the gospel announces an undiminished inheritance in Christ that is fully possessed by every believer. The word therefore does not point to proportion but to participation: each recipient enjoys the whole blessing because the inheritance is Christ Himself.” This word is used three other times in the New Testament (Ephesians 3:6; Hebrews 11:9 and 1 Peter 3:7).

Now, do you see? We aren’t just heirs. We are joint-heirs. We all share it all with Christ. We aren’t just given a little slice of heaven. We have it all. We aren’t given a portion by lot. We have full access to all that Christ claims as His. What an inheritance. But this is only given to His children. Are you one?

Father, I am Your child and am thankful I am a joint-heir with Christ.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Eternity, Heirs, Inheritance, Qualifications, Scripture

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

COLOSSIANS 1:12

“joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”

I have had a lot of different types of jobs over my 64 years of life. I had a lawn mowing business with my brother, Tim, when I was young. The qualifications for that job were simple. Know how to crank a mower and sweat, lol. I progressed to service station attendant where I learned how to service cars, change tires and work with customers. Over the years different jobs required different qualifications. Yet it always seemed that the Lord did the qualifying before the job arose.

Paul uses a Greek word for “has qualified” that is only used by him in the New Testament. He only uses it here and in 2 Corinthians 3:6 where he says, “who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” The word is hikanoó which implies empowerment from an outside source for a particular role or assignment. God qualifies or makes us adequate. It is not something we can do ourselves.

APPLICATION

In today’s verse, God is qualifying us “to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Wow! That sounds pretty exciting, doesn’t it? This inheritance is spoken of throughout the New Testament. In Romans 8:17 we read, “and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

1 Peter 1:4 says this, “and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,” John tells us in Revelation 21:7, “The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.”

Three different writers saying the same thing. God has birthed us into His family, thus making us heirs with Christ in His kingdom light. We have been delivered from the domain of darkness. We will reign with Him eternally. And what qualifies us? Nothing we have done. He qualifies us through His Son. Once we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are qualified. We are His. He is ours. That is the highest qualification ever!

O Lord, thank You for qualifying me to be a part of Your eternal dynasty!

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Abiding, Access, Bible, Blessing, Church, Fellowship, Heirs, Members, Partakers, Scripture

FELLOWS

EPHESIANS 3:6

“to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,”

Last night I had the privilege to attend a meeting with about 70 men here in Knoxville. I watched these men during the evening and was so encouraged at their fellowship. Many of them knew each other from the ministry where I serve, Every Man A Warrior. These guys hugged each other, shook hands, laughed and just generally enjoyed the night. What was amazing, though, was to see how they welcomed the other guys who were new to this. They made them feel welcomed and like, well, one of the fellows.

Don’t you just love this verse today? Paul tells the Ephesians that they are now fellow heirs, fellow members and fellow partakers. That’s a lot of fellows! In the Greek text, the word “fellow” does not occur. Each time it is really the preposition, sun or syn, which means to be closely identified with. You’ve heard me say it before that this preposition is that inseparable, permanent “with.” Paul wants us to know that these positions we are now in will always be that way.

APPLICATION

“Fellow heirs” is the Greek word sugkléronomos, which means “joint-heir; used of believers sharing in the inheritance of the heavenly Father with (through) the chief heir, Jesus Christ.” (HELPS Word studies). We will share jointly in the inheritance of Christ. There will be no dividing the inheritance. We will all share it together forever.

“Fellow members” is the word sussómos, which literally means joint body. The body refers to the body of Christ as in the community of believers which make up the church. Some denominations think they are the only ones who will be in that body, that they are the only true church. Paul says differently here. If you have believed in Jesus and have given your life to Him, you are a permanent part of that body. Romans 10:9-10 tells us, “9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

The final “fellow” is “fellow partaker.” This is the word summetochos which means to be changed having taking part in something. The promise of Jesus Christ presented to us in the Gospel. The word is only used here and later in Ephesians 5:7 where it is used in a negative way. Let’s back up to verse 6 to get the context. “6 See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them;”

You are a fellow heir, member and partaker. Enjoy it!

Father, thank You for bringing me into the fold as an heir, a member and a partaker.

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Bible, Heirs, Inheritance, Messiah, Promises, Scripture

HEIRS TO THE PROMISE

GALATIANS 3:29

“And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”

I am my father’s heir. When he passed away, he left his estate to me and my three siblings. All that my dad possessed was promised to us in his will. My younger sister is the executor of the estate and was responsible for dividing it according to the will. She was to ensure my dad’s “promises” to us were fulfilled. But they were not her promises. They were my dad’s.

In today’s verse, Paul tells us that Abraham was given a promise – that through him all the world would be blessed. Jesus was the fulfillment of that promise. Abraham was not the promise, nor did he control the promise. He was simply an instrument God chose to use to deliver the promise of the Messiah. And now, as believers in Christ, we are heirs to that same promise.

APPLICATION

What do you do with an inheritance? Some people blow it within days or weeks. Others stash it away for a rainy day. The inheritance we receive through Jesus is eternal. You can’t much better than that. In Romans 8:16-17, Paul gives us a great glimpse at this. “16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”

Colossians 3:24 also gives us a word on this inheritance. “…knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” So, the question has to be asked. What will you do with your inheritance? You have been promised eternal life through Jesus. Are you going to squirrel that promise away and hide it or are you going to share it?

Take your promise and give it away. When you do you will notice your promise is still there. Sharing the promise of eternal life that you possess does not diminish it one bit. In fact, I think it makes it more. By doing that you are helping to build the kingdom. You are offering that precious promise so that others can join God’s family. Share yours today.

Father, give me opportunities today to share Your promise with someone. 

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