If we are children of God through faith, what does that make us?
Being children of God through saving faith makes believers heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. This heirship is not from an earthly rich grandfather or corporation president but something far greater; it may include suffering with Him and also glorification with Him.
Les teaches that Romans 8 presents believers as children of God, and if we are true sons of God by saving faith, verse 17 asks what we are and answers: heirs. He emphasizes that we are not heirs of some rich grandfather or a corporation president with millions of shares, but we have something far greater—we are heirs of God. He then tightens the point: we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Les illustrates joint heirship with a home or property owned by two people: both are owners, both have rights to the property, and if one passes away, the property belongs to the one left behind regardless of which one goes first. He says this joint heirship is part and parcel of the Christian experience, that we are heirs of God because we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. It may mean that we will suffer with Him, and we may also experience glorification with Him. Turning back to Galatians, verse 7 is in complete agreement with Romans 8: no more a slave, but a son, an heir of God through Christ.
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then 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 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.