Our Duty as Heirs
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Apr 21, 2023
- 2 min read
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. (Romans 3:31)
As believers in Christ, we have been given the privilege of being adopted into the family of God and receiving the title of heirs of righteousness. This means that, through faith in Christ, we have been made righteous in the eyes of God. If we are fully righteous, does this mean we can disregard the law of God? Absolutely not! Paul clarified that our faith in Jesus does not get rid of the law but gives us the power to live in obedience to it. Through faith, we can see the spiritual nature of the law and not just the rules and dictates as a set of religious checklists. Our faith in Jesus also gives us the motivation and influence to obey the law out of love and gratitude, instead of basing our obedience out of fear or obligation.
I should state clearly that you do not earn righteousness by doing good things. We can no longer earn our righteousness through obedience to the law. You have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus as a gift of God. We are no longer under the curse of the law, but we are called to live in obedience to God's Word, not as a set of religious rules, so we can be great examples of the character of God, reflecting His love and wisdom.
Being an heir of righteousness means living in obedience to what God says. We must study to show ourselves approved and rely on the anointing of the Holy Spirit to teach us, strengthen us, and empower us. We establish the law (God's Word) as dutiful heirs.
Practical Application
The revelation of our identity and authority should push us to be active in our faith. This means that we should seek to serve others and follow God's commands. We can do this by participating in acts of kindness, serving in our local church, or volunteering in our community.
