11/19/13

From Jim McGuiggan... Romans: The Glorious Inheritance (5)

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).

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.