Whose heirs are Christians, and how does that compare to a human inheritance?
Christians are children of God and therefore heirs of God, specifically joint heirs with Jesus Christ. This is not like inheriting from a rich grandfather or a corporation president with millions of shares; it is something far greater, secured through saving faith and shared with Christ.
Les teaches that if we are children of God and true sons by saving faith, then we are heirs. He contrasts this with a human inheritance: not from some rich grandfather, nor from a corporation president with millions of shares, but something far greater—we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Using the illustration of joint ownership, Les explains that both owners have rights to the property, and if one dies, it belongs to the one left behind regardless of which goes first. That joint heirship is part and parcel of the Christian experience, and it may mean suffering with Christ and also experiencing glorification with Him. Returning to Galatians, he says this agrees with Romans 8: we are no more slaves but sons, one in full heirship, an heir of God through Christ.
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.
More Questions
What does it mean that believers are joint heirs with Jesus Christ?
Believers are not only heirs of God but joint heirs with Jesus Christ.
What kind of heirs are believers in Christ?
If we are children, then we are heirs, and specifically joint heirs, not merely heirs waiting down the line for a portion of the inheritance.
What kind of heirs are children of God?
If we are children of God, we are heirs, and specifically joint heirs with Christ, not just ordinary heirs hoping for a small portion of the inheritance.