To say that we are “children of God” and “heirs” at the same time is something wonderful. Imagine for a moment that the president of your country decided to become your best friend; the first thing you would probably think is why you, since you do not deserve it, etc. Now, this is far greater, because it is not about a president or a famous person, it is about the greatest being imaginable that exists.
We are children and heirs of God, and this is how the Bible describes it:
15 For you have not received the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Romans 8:15-17
Have we received a spirit of slavery? No. Instead, Jesus Himself has given us a spirit of freedom when we fully believe in Him. In this way, we can remain confident even in the storm, just as when the disciples were in the boat in the middle of the raging sea, yet Jesus was with them. Why should they fear if Jesus was there?
Verse 17 says that the Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. It is not going to church that testifies that we are children of God. It is not giving offerings, missions, or similar works, although all of those things are important. But being children of God is confirmed by the very Spirit of God who testifies that we truly are His children.
And if we are His children, then we have an inheritance from our Father. And it is not a worldly inheritance, but an eternal dwelling that He has prepared for us.
I encourage you to continue trusting fully in God, for we are His children, and if we are His children, we no longer need to fear, and we have an inheritance in Him.
The identity of the children of God
When we accept Christ, our identity changes completely. We are no longer merely creatures, but children adopted by grace. This truth gives us a new way of seeing ourselves: not as rejected people, but as loved and accepted by the heavenly Father. Understanding this helps us live with confidence, knowing that we have a place in the family of God.
An inheritance that does not perish
Earthly inheritances can be lost, spent, or stolen. However, the inheritance that God promises us is incorruptible. The apostle Peter reminds us that this inheritance is kept in heaven for every believer (1 Peter 1:4). It is an eternal life, endless joy, and full communion with our Creator. This hope should fill us with encouragement even in the midst of difficult trials.
The privilege of calling God “Father”
The expression “Abba, Father” mentioned in Romans 8:15 is not simply a formal title, but an intimate word, similar to “dad” or “dear father.” This means that our relationship with God is not cold or distant, but close and personal. We can approach Him at any moment, confident that He listens to us and cares about every detail of our lives.
Joint heirs with Christ
The text also says that we are joint heirs with Christ. This means that everything the Father has given to the Son will also be shared with us. Christ conquered death and was glorified; we, by remaining in Him, will also share in that glory. Of course, this includes suffering for the sake of the gospel, but it also includes the eternal reward that will come afterward.
Practical application
Remembering that we are children and heirs should transform the way we live. We do not walk as slaves of fear, but as people who are free in Christ. Every time we face difficulties, we must remember that our inheritance is far greater than any earthly trial. This encourages us to keep our faith firm and to live in obedience, knowing that our Father cares for us.
Conclusion
To say that we are children of God and heirs with Christ is much more than a beautiful phrase; it is a powerful truth that should shape every area of our lives. Let us live with the confidence that we belong to the family of God, with the hope of an eternal inheritance and with the privilege of calling God our Father. May we proclaim with confidence each day: “I am a child of God, and nothing and no one can take away that inheritance from me.”