He saved us … so that … we might become heirs …
Summary: There are specific rules of law that pertain to a last will and testament. Paul, knowing the law, uses this terminology to explain something very important.
The idea that believers are “heirs” makes me wonder: What does Paul mean? Heir to what? Heir to whom?
We are not heirs to God because an heir only comes into an inheritance when someone dies. God does not die. We need to look at the whole sentence to figure this one out. Paul writes:
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3: 5-7)
The only thing I can think of to explain this is that Jesus put us in his will. I think it must have read something like this:
Upon my death, my estate including access to all of heaven, all buildings, structures, fields, streams, trees, crops, and all property of spiritual value, is to be shared equally by all those who believe that I am the Son of God. Access to heaven includes a personal residence for each believer (John 14:2).
Having made us his heirs in heaven, Jesus then allowed himself to be crucified for our sins. When he died on the cross, his last will and testament came into effect. It is true that he rose from the dead. It is also true that he is still alive today. Yet having died, his will is still in effect. Those who believe in Jesus as Savior have a promise of an inheritance in heaven.
Application: When Jesus died on the cross, we legally became heirs of his estate in heaven.
Food for Thought: Why does the NIV say that we “might” become heirs instead of we “will” become heirs?
Good devotion. I don’t know why the NIV made the decision they did, we might need to ask them. Maybe a figure of speech. Maybe some other reason. But the important thing from my perspective is that we are heirs of a mighty inheritance. 1 Peter 1: 3 – 5.
Thank you, Rich.
The 1 Peter passage is a beautiful summation of today’s topic:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 3-5)
I especially appreciate verse five which reveals that we are “shielded by God’s power” while we wait for our inheritance.
A pun from Rich?! Don’t feed the bear Rich, please! 🙂 haha good one brother.
I have been meditating on the “might” because I normally read the NIV. Obviously, this is a very important question! It’s a good lesson for me…read multiple versions and compare notes I suppose. Either way, I try to not take His grace for granted and do my best to live out the gospel with hope and perseverance. I dont want to follow Jesus as if anything is guaranteed, but I have hope and faith!
Danny,
Thank you for joining us this morning! Your words reflect the attitude that God wants for all of us — do not take His grace for granted! Well said!
As with most inheritance, it is not only what is transferred to the living, but also, and very importantly, what the living does with it.
Anon —
That is a great point. As we learn in the parable of the Prodigal Son, an inheritance can be squandered.
Why does the NIV say that we “might” become heirs instead of we “will” become heirs?
At 33yrs. I was under conviction of the Holy Spirit who directed me ( with a picture in my mind ) to attend a church I had passed each day as I went to and from work. It was a big Lutheran church and nobody carried Bibles. They had books for singing as well as for chanting different creeds at all the seating areas. The pastor might occasionally read some verse from the Bible but the majority of his teachings seems to have come from Readers Digest, or some other magazine. In time I met Jim who God had sent me to this church to meet. Jim attended Bible Study Fellowship and later told me he was staying in this church, hoping to make a difference.
To attend BSF, I had to have a Bible which I purchased at the local Christian supply. When the lady at the store asked me what kind of Bible wanted, I wisely replied “ Give me any of them, they all say the same thing “ and she wisely handed me my King James, Schofield Study Bible, which today is bound in Duct Tape with massive writing on almost every page.
I got home, took my new Bible out of it’s box and began to read. AND I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND MOST OF WHAT IT SAID! I ended up beginning my studies with my Schofield and a children’s Living bible as we studied the Book of John. Between the two of them and the Holy Spirit, I came to know I would be saved from my sins by turning from them in repentance and accepting Christ as Lord over my Life. 43 years have passed, today I have many bibles, ( always return to my Schofield ) continue to daily studies, and I have passed from believing to knowing God exists. I have not only learned from Bible studies but I have had many, many truth revealing experiences, trials, victories and failures which God has carried me through, all have built on the foundation of Christ who lives in me today.
The Bible tells us our understanding of Gods truths comes from the Holy Spirit who will reveal all truth as He speaks to our hearts in the language we understand. So it seems to me, daily prayer, study and applications of Gods truths in whatever version you are comfortable with, will produce saving faith and works which are pleasing to God and will have eternal value.
John 14:17, 15:26, 16:13, 1John 5:6, Galatians 1:11-12, Acts 2:8