HEIRS TO LIVING HOPE

“That having been justified by His grace we should become HEIRS according to the HOPE of eternal LIFE” – Titus 3:7

Believers are HEIRS to LIVING HOPE: “according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become HEIRS according to the HOPE of eternal LIFE” (Tit. 3:5b-7). An Heir is an Inheritor. We’re Heirs of Salvation: “those who will inherit salvation” (Heb.1:14). Galatians 4:7 affirms: “Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an HEIR of GOD through Christ.”

Paul, in Titus 3 discussed Christian behaviour in the settings of governance and society: How Believers should behave in an ungodly world. Our temporal earthly citizenship should reflect the Hope we have in our eternal heavenly citizenship: “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men” (vv.1-2). Being citizens of God’s eternal Kingdom – Heirs of Hope – we can live hopefully and serve conscientiously in earthly governance! Paul gave the Believers in Crete gracious reminders of how God had laid hold of their lives to be worthy witnesses in a pagan world.

In Christ we’re heirs to a vast eternal fortune! Everything the Father has belongs to us. He withholds nothing good and of value from us: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom.8:32). When we read the Bible, we’re reading “The Will.” When we study the Word, we see that we’re heirs to our Father’s vast fortune. Because He is a Living Father, ours is Living Hope! As we learn what’s included in our Inheritance, we’re equipped to actualise and possess them by faith.

We are Heirs of God based on three clear scriptural stands:

First, we’re children of God, and therefore heirs to all that belongs to our Father. Children of the King have right to partake of royal inheritance: “And if children, then HEIR – HEIRS of God and JOINT-HEIRS with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Rom.8:17). When we become born again, Jesus moves in with everything He has! Every promise in the Bible – blessings and benefits – belongs to us. But we have to appropriate and take it by faith.

Second, we are heirs because we are redeemed from the curse (Gal.3: 13-14). God is good, and He set out to guarantee our deliverance from every single curse: sickness, disease, poverty, lack, depression, and all negativity. To remove every iota of doubt, Galatians 4:29 says, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and HEIRS according to the promise.” As clear as crystal and outlined in “The Will”!

Third, we’re Heirs because we are JOINT HEIRS with Christ (Rom.8:17). By accepting Jesus as Saviour and Lord, we joined God’s Family, became His children, and received His same rights and privileges. We were born into The Royal Family that owns and operates the universe!

As Heirs of Hope, hopelessness should never overwhelm us because we have a Loving Father who is never oblivious to our circumstances. His Unfailing Hope does not waver, being rooted in His faithfulness: “Let us hold fast the confession of our HOPE without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Heb.11:23). In such times as these, when many cultures exalt sin and despise God, even being aggressively militant against those who sustain godly standards. Believers cannot respond simply using the ways of the world: Organizing political parties to try to gain power over the opposition; seeking to pass laws that uphold biblical standards; or staging protests against evil and injustice.

As Heirs of Hope, God’s Mercy and Grace are ever present to enable us positively, powerfully, and permanently impact our world for Christ.