48
The scriptures plainly define those who are to be heirs of God, just as a will appoints the dividing of an inheritance. As is generally the case with an estate, the inheritance left by the Lord Jesus will be divided among the children. That establishes the criteria that all who would receive that eternal inheritance provided by the Lord, would be able to declare themselves to be children of God, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This inheritance is not available to those who would desire to be under the Law. The Law was but a schoolmaster to bring men to Christ. Now that Christ has come all are to put on Christ, i.e. to live a life filled with and led by the Holy Spirit. Gal. 3:24-26.
In the church there is a tendency to minimize the teachings of the Word of God. May the Lord help us to come to a place where we over emphasize (if possible) the letter of the Word. In this instance Paul is accentuating the very vital act of being baptized into Christ, in order to be a child of the Lord and to receive the promised inheritance. That includes both water and Spirit baptism which will lead us to a portion of our inheritance. Gal. 3:27 The privilege to pick and choose the particular portions of the inheritance which appeal to the heir is not granted. It is a case of taking all that is designated or receiving nothing. The inheritance is not determined by nationality, nor by status in life, nor by gender. Only through knowing Christ (the anointed, in this case the anointing) may we enter into the inheritance which has been prepared for those who love Him. Only by having an intimate knowledge of the Christ of God can we become the seed of Abraham, which is accomplished by the promise of a redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. Gal. 3:29.
Here is a tidbit of scriptural information which will give us an insight into the equality with which the Lord views all of humanity. The only one who has ever been born of a woman, as a Son of God, is the Lord Jesus. All others are adopted. Abraham was not born a son of God. The Lord selected, chose him and called him, therefore he was adopted. Neh. 9:7 The Lord Jesus came to redeem those who were under the bondage of the Law. In the spiritual process of making them to be sons of God, He once again adopted those who would believe on Christ. Adoption, whether for Jew or Gentile, is sealed, assured to be an accomplished fact, through the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 1:13 The strength and absolute assurance of having been received by the Lord as a true son is in the receiving of His Spirit into our hearts and spirit. Gal. 4:6.