Romans: The Glorious Inheritance (5)
Chapter 8:18 - 39 Abraham and his children were to inherit "the world" (4:13, and see 1
Corinthians 3:22-23) apart from the Torah. Strange as it was to
Israel's ears the inheritance was to be independent of the Torah so that
Israel (as well as Gentiles) could receive it (4:16). This meant Israel
needed to be redeemed from the holy Torah that bound them to their
apostasy (signalled and underscored by the rejection of their own
Messiah). In Christ that rescue from the Torah and its curse has taken
place and the inheritance is secured with the Holy Spirit as a pledge of
the coming complete fulfilment.
But the inheritance is for all of Abraham's children, Jew and Gentile
who are in Christ Jesus (see Galatians 3:26-29). Since creation was
subjected to bondage as a result of human rebellion it awaits the day of
their full redemption and inheriting. The full redemption and
glorification of God's children guarantees the redemption of the
creation (8:18-23). Sin has been dealt with in God's faithfulness so no
condemnation exists for those embraced in Christ. The full inheritance
of the world is assured despite present tribulation or distress
(8:31-39). The Lord has not been faithless to the human race and has not
abandoned them despite their universal apostasy.
To those who (Jews or Gentiles) who insisted on living in the flesh
(outside of Christ with all that that means for each group) there is
only death (8:5-8) but for those (Jews or Gentiles) who in union with
Christ live in and walk after the Spirit the righteous requirement of
the Torah is fulfilled (8:4). And this is the "logical" and moral end of
Paul's gospel (rather than 6:1). By the Spirit rather flesh they belong
to Christ (8:9) and if they are Christ's they are Abraham's seed and
heirs of "the world" according to the promise (Galatians 3:29 with
Romans 4:13-14 and see
1 Corinthians 3:22-23). And since they are Christ's and therefore Abraham's children they are God's children and heirs rather than slaves (8:15-17).
1 Corinthians 3:22-23). And since they are Christ's and therefore Abraham's children they are God's children and heirs rather than slaves (8:15-17).
But where is the glorious inheritance? It is secured in Christ who
for his co-heirs is bringing it and them all into completed glory. He
reigns in the midst of his enemies and until all the enemies are
defeated (1 Corinthians 15:25-26; Psalm 110:2). The last enemy that will be
defeated is death, which is listed here in Romans 8:35-39 (and see 1
Corinthians 15:26). And who will inherit though at this time they have something of a
wilderness experience? The glorified children of God (8:18,30). And what will be their inheritance? The glorified creation
that groans while it eagerly watches for the glorification of the
children of God! Humanity dragged creation down with it and the new
humanity in and through Jesus Christ will rise it back up when its
glorification is complete. The creation was subjected to corruption or
futility and so reflected the loss of glory humanity brought on itself
but when the children of God, the new humanity in Christ, are glorified
creation will be redeemed from the curse and glorified with them (see
Genesis 3).
©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.
Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.