What It Means to be a Child of God - 3
Brian Jakowski
In this third installment of What It Means to Be a Child of God, we will explore the value of being heirs of God, co-heirs with Jesus, and how this brings blessings into our lives on this side of Heaven.
First, we'll revisit what we've discussed in the previous post.
In Part One we discussed that being a Child of God results from believing in Jesus, receiving Him as Lord of your life, and repenting.
In Part Two, we studied how being adopted by God restores us to sonship, makes us heirs, and strengthens our relationship with God.
Now, let's explore the empowering concept of being co-heirs with Jesus. This divine relationship brings a shower of blessings into our lives. To illustrate this, let's delve into a beautiful story that perfectly captures this concept.
A wealthy man built one of the world's foremost art collections. He had but one sickly child, who unfortunately died at an early age.
An amateur artist friend gifted the father with a portrait he had painted of the man's son. At best, it was a rough likeness of his son, but it quickly became the man's most treasured possession.
Some years later, the father died without an heir. News of his passing and the coming auction of his renowned art collection circulated quickly throughout the art world. Many collectors gathered with great excitement and anticipation of acquiring the priceless paintings to be auctioned.
The first painting offered was his son's portrait. The crowd scoffed. Who would buy this horrid painting when Rembrandts and Van Goghs were available?
No one bid on the son's portrait until a gardner who had known and loved the boy sheepishly offered $50.00. The auctioneer waited, but no other bids came. After hesitating, he said, "Sold', and added, "The Auction is over."
The outraged crowd shouted angrily. Then, the deceased man's lawyer said there was only one instruction in the will,
He who gets the son gets it all: the art collection and the entire estate.
Author unknown
What do we learn from this story? The Gardner received the Father's beloved son. Because he had the son, he became heir to everything the Father had. This is a beautiful metaphor for how we become Children of God and co-heirs with Jesus.
Now, it's time to explain what being a Co-Heir with Jesus means and what some earthly benefits are. The Apostle Paul introduces the concept of being heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus in Romans eight,
The Spirit himself testifies with our Spirit that we are God's children. Now, if we are children, then we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ if indeed we share in his sufferings so that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16-17
Heir To The Throne Of God
The world's laws say that for an heir to receive their inheritance, somebody must verify the testator's death. Hebrews 9:16-17 says likewise,
In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living.
The necessity of proving the testator's death is one of the few points agreed on by the world and God's word. However, this agreement crumbles under further examination. Why? Because on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead for eternity. (Rev. 1:18)
Jesus' sinless life fulfilled the requirements of the law of Moses. His brutal death on the cross met the requirements of a will or testament, bringing the New Covenant of Grace into effect.
The Covenant of Grace changes our status in God's kingdom by making us "heirs" with the full rights of sonship in this life and when we go to be God. As heirs to God and co-heirs with Jesus, we have the right to expect God's abundant blessings in this life.
Jesus says as much in Mathew 6:24-34 when He tells his followers not to worry about clothes and food because the Father knows we need them. As evidence, he points to how the Father feeds the sparrows and clothes the flowers of the field and assures us that we are of much more value than sparrows and flowers.
The solution? Seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33) Jesus echoes this concept once more in Luke 12:22-31
The Kingdom is Here and Now
Jesus began His ministry by telling the people that the Kingdom of God was near. Most thought that meant the kingdom would come at a future date. In truth, many Christians still live as they’re waiting.
But the kingdom of God entered the world with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem 2000-plus years ago. The invitation to enter God’s family and kingdom remains open today.
For the child of God, those who have believed in and received Jesus, the benefits of knowing Jesus are in this life. Consider these scriptures that promise God's blessings and abundance on this side of Heaven.
John 10:10 ESV says, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Jesus' words in this verse promise an abundant and prosperous life on earth.
Psalm 27:13 NIV King David says, … I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalm 103:2–5 outlines the benefits of knowing God in this life,
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
This passage briefly summarizes the benefits of being a Child of God and co-heir with Christ. Those benefits include the forgiveness of sins, redemption from judgment, the assurance of love and Compassion, and healing in our time on earth.
In closing, I'd like to paraphrase John 21:25: I suppose, If I were to list all the real-time benefits of being a Child of God and co-heir with Jesus, not even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
However, we can be sure that in this world, an heir to God and Co-heir with Jesus can expect to have the Father's provision at their disposal, as well as forgiveness, redemption, assurance of love and Compassion, and finally, healing.
Please join me for the fourth and final installment of What It Means to Be a Child of God, where we'll examine the concepts of Children of God not being mistakes and having divine protection.