Articles
Peter 21 - Heirs
Heirs
You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. (1Peter 3:7)
One who is an heir is one who receives a right or property upon the death of the one who had the authority to give it. In other words, an heir inherits. In this culture, this is usually reliant upon a will or testament which contains the instructions and stipulations for inheritance. The last will and testament is considered the final word on inheritance. It is a well-known and age-old concept.
Peter writes his letters to people who have become heirs—they have an “inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1Peter 1:4-5). He writes that both Christian husbands and Christian wives are heirs together of the “grace of life” (1Peter 3:7). It is worth noting here that this clearly shows that women are not second-rate Christians in God’s sight even though they are to be in subjection to the man. Since both are to be heirs together of the grace of life, husbands are to treat their wives with honor. What then, is involved in this idea of being fellow heirs?
The Provider
Who is the provider of the inheritance? It is God—we are His children. “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him” (Romans 8:16-17; see also Ephesians 3:1-6). God provides all things—even our very existence. Is it any wonder that He provides an inheritance?
The Will and Testament
What is the will or legal paper which designates the heir and the inheritance? It is the gospel. Both Jews and “Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6). In the gospel, all the conditions of the inheritance are set forth. If you are interested in the inheritance, then go to the gospel. The gospel is in effect since the testament has been ratified by the death of the testator: “For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives” (Hebrews 9:16-17).
The Heirs
Who are the heirs in this inheritance? As noted earlier, God’s children are the heirs. His children are the ones who love Him, love one another, and observe His commandments: “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome” (1John 5:2-3). His children are those who are in Christ, have believed, and been baptized for the remission of sins. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). The heirs are a part of God’s house—His family—the church (1Timothy 3:14-15). Those, who are Christ’s, are the heirs (Galatians 3:29). Those children, who remain faithful, will inherit (Hebrews 6:12). What kind of heirs are these? Paul and Peter both say they are fellow heirs. This means that they share together in the inheritance as they meet the same requirements given in the gospel.
The Witnesses
Who are the witnesses to the legality of this arrangement? Christ and his apostles are the witnesses. “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will” (Hebrews 2:1-4).
The Inheritance
What is the inheritance? Remember, Peter calls it the “grace of life” (1Peter 3:7) and he also referred to it as “salvation” (1Peter 1:4-5). What is the nature of this inheritance? It is eternal. Our Savior, Redeemer, and great High Priest is “the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15).
The Reception
When will this inheritance be received? Men receive blessings from God constantly. Children of God receive many blessings now, but the fulness of the inheritance is to be received in the end at the last day (1Peter 1:5). Where will this inheritance be found? remember, Peter writes that it is an “inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1Peter 1:3-4).
Are you an heir?
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