I recall sometime in the past, endeavoring to write on the subject of becoming an heir but when and what I had to say is vague to me at the moment. At present I feel impressed to try once more.

We must establish in the beginning, that if their be heirs, there must necessarily be an inheritance lest they be heir to nothing. (That is possible in the natural realm.)

(I Peter 1:3,4) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. :4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Verse four gives us assurance that an inheritance awaits us, and describes the purity of it, how enduring it is, how sure it is and where it is located. The elect family of God are heirs to this inheritance. Did you notice that God himself for you reserves it?

(Rom. 8:16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. This is that which keeps our hope glowing brightly. (8:17) 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. Notice that he is speaking to children of God, therefore, He is not making a condition for us to fulfill in order to be glorified together. All the elect family of God were in Christ when He suffered on the cross and they most surely will all be glorified together in heaven. Children of God are established as heirs of their Heavenly Father.

Let us consider natural heirs. There are at least three ways, by law that one may become an heir. (1) By birth. When you are born, you become an heir of your parents. (2) By adoption. Those who desire may choose one and adopt by legal means, making them an heir. (3) By Will. Anyone may, by including someone in their Will and Testament, cause them to be an heir according to their desire.

I would think, in the natural realm, that birth is the most prevalent means by which people become heirs. Some states have forced heir-ship laws, meaning no child can be deprived of its inheritance. One fact stands out about a natural birth. The child born is completely passive in all things pertaining to their birth - i.e., who their parents are, when they are born, choosing to be born. These events are all determined by other than themselves. Let’s look at the spiritual side of birth. Remember (John 3:6), “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Jesus was very explicit in saying to Nicodemus ye must be born again. (John 3:7) “Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.” You, being completely passive in the event, have been born of the flesh. The spiritual birth, you being passive likewise, must be of the spirit. Even as Jesus told His disciples in, (John 15:16) you have not chosen me but I have chosen you. You did not choose to be born of God. You were just as passive in your spiritual birth as you were in your natural. God made choice of you before the foundation of the world. Read (Eph. 1:4) one of the best illustrations of our passiveness in our spiritual birth is found in (John 3:8) “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” How much influence do you have over the wind and where it blows? None. So is every one that is born of the spirit.

The word adoption is used (5) times in the New Testament. In our legal system, you can make one a member of your family, thus they become an heir. There are three steps to an adoption. There must be one willing (have a desire) to adopt. (Bring into their family) There must be a choice made as to who shall be chosen to make a part of their family. Then after the choice is made, the law must be satisfied. (The legal work) (Rom. 8:15) “For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father.” Abba is an Aramic word for Father. By this spirit in us of being brought unto the family of God we are able to call Him Father. The Lord, being moved by His electing love, to bring a portion of the race of Adam into His family, made choice of a people and did all the legal work to satisfy His divine law. I remember He teaches that Jesus fulfilled the law to a jot and a tittle. Nothing was left undone.

(Gal. 4:5) “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Even by Jesus Christ, according to the riches of His mercy and grace.”

(Eph. 1:5) ”Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.” How sure is that adoption?

God redeemed and adopted the whole man. Read (I Thes. 5:23) (Rom. 8:23) “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” The body was also adopted and shall be raised one day and made like unto the glorious body of the Son of God.

As you can see, the same set of facts applies to adoption that was present in being born again. The one being adopted had no active part (or say) in the adoption. God made the choice as to whom would be adopted.

One can be made heir by Will. (John 17:24) “Father I will that they also glory which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” Jesus has prayed to the Father, using the term, I will. Remember, they are agreed in one. Do you think the Father heard His prayer? I remember Him saying when He raised Lazarus. Father I know that thou hearest me always.

(John 6:38,39) “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me.” (V-39) “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should loose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” Brethren, you are included in the Father’s will. Once again I declare that you were passive in getting your name included in the Father’s will, even as we are passive in getting written into some person’s last will and testament. In all the ways that I am aware of that you may become an heir, I find that we are passive. You have no active part in your birth, your adoption, or being included in a will. Others do it all, whether it is natural or spiritual. By the laws of man, anyone of these methods would make you an heir. God’s law makes us a spiritual heir by all three methods. (Birth – adoption – will)

I will close with this scripture. (Heb. 1:2) “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds.” Brethren, Jesus was appointed heir of all things and you are heirs of God and Joint heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ. All that heaven holds will be yours.