“Having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs, having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7, NIV). When we believed God announced an important verdict: we are now adopted as children of God. We did not earn it; it was by his grace. This legal declaration means that we are also heirs of our Father, just as an adopted child on earth becomes a legal heir of their parents. One big difference is that our Father will never die and will never give up his “possessions”; rather, he gives his inheritance when we die, and he has infinite possessions to bequeath. And what do we inherit? Eternal life. That is, we inherit from him a participation in his joyful eternal life. We inherit his bliss, his love, his harmony, his freedom from corruption, his freedom to always choose good, his glory (1 Cor. 15:43), and his image (1Cor. 15:49). We will be what we were originally meant to be, Adamic people who will fulfill the original missions given to Adam. We will be fruitful, live in a perfect community, manage the Earth, which will be a new Garden of Eden. We will live in direct relationship with God, in Christ, enjoying his love forever.
How much do you look forward to your future joyful eternal life? How does it influence you now?
