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HEIRS OF GOD

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 19, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 54.

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HEIRS OF GOD.

By H. E. Giddings

BY H. E. GIDDINGS.
THE element which entitles one to the eternal inheritance involves every hope of the child of God. When an estate is left for division in this world, it is necessary for those claiming it to prove their claim, by showing that they have a lenial flesh-and-blood connection with the deceased, for that constitutes heirship.
This was the boast of the Jews that they were the children of Abraham, to whom the promises were made (John 8:39), but they were informed that the promise "was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect." Rom. 4:13, 14.
The thought that is presented here is that the heirship is through faith alone. Now the promise that he should be heir of the world was made to Abraham and his "seed which is Christ," through faith. Gal. 3:16. Therefore "if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Verse 29. "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Rom. 8:9. This brings to view the essential elements in the heirship.
'Tis not by royal ancestry, In title, wealth, or blood,
that we inherit eternity. We must be born of God: "Except a man be born again [margin, "from above"], he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3. This positive statement of the Saviour shows that the spiritual birth is absolutely necessary, for without it there is no possibility of gaining an entrance into the kingdom of God, and, as before said, we must be Christ's to be heirs of the promise, and without his Spirit we are not his.
The flesh-and-blood birth inherits in this world; but the spiritual birth alone avails when the eternal estate is divided, and we hear, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit." Matt. 25:34.
When one is born of the Spirit, the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart and controls it, and then he is the child of a King. 2 Cor. 6:17, 18. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 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. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God [adopted into the family of God through the operation of the Holy Spirit]; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ." Rom. 8:14-17.
Flesh and blood may urge its claims with the most forcible facts which can be conceived, and it will avail nothing when the estate of Abraham is apportioned to the heirs of promise through faith, born of divine ancestry into spiritual life, and "to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:4. "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 15:50.
May the importance of this subject enlist our earliest attention and, most sincere devotion, that at last our hearts may be thrilled with rapture at the invitation to come and inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world. Matt. 25:34. May this be yours and mine in Jesus' name.
Gunn City, Mo.