Romans 8:17

DISCOURSE: 1872
THE PRIVILEGES OF GOD’S CHILDREN

Romans 8:17. If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

THERE are many high-sounding titles among men, which are no otherwise profitable to the possessors of them, than as they please their fancy, and gratify their pride. But the honourable appellations given to the true Christian, are connected with real and substantial benefits, which every one who is counted worthy of them shall infallibly enjoy. Believers are called in Scripture, “Children of God.” Now this name is not a mere Hebraism, or figure of speech peculiar to Scripture: for though it is true that the Scriptures speak of children of promise, children of disobedience, children of the curse, importing only that the persons so called are of such or such a character; yet the term “Children of God” is of a more determinate meaning: it imports a relation to God as a Father; and includes all that is comprehended in that relation. Hence the Apostle, having spoken of believers under this term, immediately draws this inference from it; “If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.”
In considering these words, we shall set before you,

I. The privileges of believers—

It is here taken for granted, that believers are children of God: we therefore pass over that, and notice only the privileges attached to that relation. And here we find them.

1. Briefly stated—

[We know what is usually understood by the term “heir.” An heir is one who has a title to an estate, not as having earned or merited it, but simply by right of primogeniture. He comes to the full possession of it as soon as he is of age; and in the mean time he is supported out of it agreeably to the rank of life he is hereafter to sustain.
Now from hence we may see what is implied in the term, when applied to the children of God. They have a claim to heaven itself as their inheritance [Note: 1 Peter 1:3.]. But their right does not at all arise from any thing they have done to deserve or purchase it: it is founded solely on their having been born of God through the operations of the Holy Spirit upon their souls [Note: John 1:13.]. They come to the full possession of it at the time appointed of the Father: but, while they continue minors, they are educated, and maintained, in a manner suited to their high and heavenly birth: they have the Holy Ghost himself for their teacher [Note: 1 John 2:27.]; they have manna from heaven, even “angels’ food,” for their support [Note: John 6:53.Psalms 78:25.]; they have the garments of salvation for their clothing [Note: Isaiah 61:10.]; and angels for their attendants to minister unto them [Note: Hebrews 1:14.].

In some respects indeed the parallel does not hold: for, amongst men, the eldest only is the heir, and the younger have smaller portions allotted to them: but, of the children of God, every one has an equal right to the whole inheritance. Besides, the heirs of men may die, or be defrauded of their inheritance: but the children of God have their inheritance reserved for them; and they are kept for it [Note: 1 Peter 1:4.]. Moreover, the heirs of men retain their possessions but a little time, and lose them entirely at death: but the children of God come to the full enjoyment of their inheritance, when they die; and then possess it for ever and ever.]

2. Strongly amplified—

[When the Apostle says, “heirs; heirs of God,” he does not intend merely to repeat the idea, but to enlarge and amplify it by a very important addition. The children of men, though denominated heirs of such or such a person, can only inherit the substance belonging to that person: but the children of God inherit all that God has, and, if we may so speak, all that he is. To them belong “all things,” whether present or future, whether temporal or eternal [Note: 1 Corinthians 3:21.]. To them belong also all the perfections of the Deity, so far at least as they need to have them exercised for their good in this world, and for their happiness in the next: they can say with David, “The Lord himself is the portion of mine inheritance [Note: Psalms 16:5.].”

Further light is thrown upon this subject by the additional expression, “joint-heirs with Christ.” Christ is the Lord and “Heir of all things [Note: Hebrews 1:2.].” But “he is not ashamed to call us brethren [Note: Hebrews 2:11.].” By virtue of this relation to him, we are partakers of all that he inherits. Has “his Father appointed unto him a kingdom? Such is appointed to us” also [Note: Luke 22:29.]. Has his Father called him to a throne? We also are seated on it together with him [Note: Revelation 3:21.]. Does he, agreeably to his Father’s will, possess a glory and felicity infinitely surpassing our highest conceptions? The same also is given to us for our everlasting portion [Note: John 17:22.].

But, whatever be the means of bringing us to the enjoyment of this portion, our right and title to it arises wholly from our relation to God the Father as his children; “If children, then heirs;” “if a son, then an heir of God through Christ [Note: Galatians 4:7.].”]

We must not however forget,

II.

The condition on which they are bestowed—

Though we are not required to do any thing in order to earn these privileges, or to render an equivalent for them when bestowed upon us, yet are conditions imposed upon us; and we must submit to those conditions, if ever we would participate the blessedness of God’s children.
For the sake of perspicuity, we will shew,

1. What the condition is—

[Christ, our elder Brother, was a sufferer, “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief [Note: Isaiah 53:3.].” In this respect all the family must resemble him: every one of them must learn obedience in the same way [Note: Hebrews 5:8.], and be perfected by the same means [Note: Hebrews 2:10.]. It is appointed to all the disciples of Jesus to “take up their cross, and follow him.” They must expect the same treatment from an ungodly world as he experienced: they must be hated, reviled, persecuted: “the disciple cannot be above his Lord; it is sufficient for him to be as his Lord:” “if they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, much more will they those of his household.”

Now it is not easy for flesh and blood to endure these things: we are ever ready, through pride and anger, to resent such treatment; or, through shame and cowardice, to shun it. But the condition is plain and absolute, No cross, no crown: “We must suffer with him, if ever we would be glorified together.”]

2. The equity of it—

[Our sufferings are intended as a test of our love to Christ. There was no necessity for our blessed Lord to submit to sufferings, unless he chose to undertake our cause, and put himself in the place of sinners: yet, purely for our sakes, he endured even death itself, yea, the painful and accursed death of the cross. If our trials then were a thousand times more severe than they are, would it not become us cheerfully to sustain them in proof of our regard for him? If he voluntarily bore so much for our good, it is surely reasonable that we should, when called to it, endure somewhat for his glory.

But our sufferings are also intended to secure to us, and augment, the inheritance itself. Nothing tends more to wean us from the world, than the opposition we meet from worldly men. Our “tribulation also worketh patience;” yea, it both exercises and confirms our every grace [Note: Romans 5:3.]. Strange as it may appear, the enduring of trials for Christ’s sake tends greatly to the advancement even of our present happiness, inasmuch as it “turns to us for a testimony [Note: Luke 21:13.],” and puts honour upon us [Note: Philippians 2:29; 1 Peter 4:13.], and is, for the most part, attended with the richest consolations of the Spirit [Note: 2 Corinthians 1:5.]. And, beyond all doubt, it will hereafter be recompensed “with a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:17.].”

Can we then complain of a condition, which at once conduces to God’s glory, and to our happiness? We should rather rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer in so good a cause [Note: Acts 5:41.]; and be contented to obtain the inheritance in the way which our heavenly Father has ordained [Note: 2 Timothy 3:12.Acts 14:22.].”]

Address—
1.

Those who are afraid of the cross—

[Hope not ever to alter the condition which God has imposed: that is absolutely irreversible [Note: 2 Timothy 2:12.].” Consider the time when our Lord imposed the condition; and blush for your timidity [Note: Matthew 16:21; Matthew 16:24. “Then.”]. Consider how little it is in the power of man to do against you, and what a sad alternative you prefer [Note: Luke 12:4.Matthew 16:25.]; and let your cowardice humble you in the dust. Think what a worm it is that you are afraid of, and what an omnipotent Being you displease [Note: Isaiah 51:7; Isaiah 51:12.]: and lastly, consider whether the inheritance will not abundantly repay all that you can endure in the way to it. Let such reflections as these occupy your minds. Count the cost at once, and learn to “sell all for this invaluable pearl [Note: Matthew 13:44.].”]

2. The suffering children of God—

[Think it not strange that ye meet with fiery trials [Note: 1 Peter 4:12.]: you have often been forewarned respecting it [Note: 1 Thessalonians 3:4.]: and they are all working for your good [Note: 1 Peter 1:7.]. If you were to suffer for evil-doing, there would be reason for shame: but to suffer for well-doing is honourable, and acceptable with God [Note: 1 Peter 2:19; 1 Peter 4:15.]. While the heir feels the restraints of his minority, he comforts himself with the prospect that he shall ere long be of age, and launch into the complete fruition of all his wishes. Your trials are, as it were, a needful discipline, to which you must submit for a little time: but soon they will for ever end, and all the felicity of heaven be yours. “Be patient therefore till the coming of you Lord [Note: James 5:7; James 5:10,];” consoling yourselves with that delightful promise, “He that overcometh, shall inherit all things [Note: Revelation 21:7.].”]