最近的一项研究描述了所谓的“巨额财富转移”。在接下来的几十年里，婴儿潮一代将向下一代转移68 万亿美元的金融资产。这些资产持有者的后嗣将获得一大笔遗产！
今天的经文告诉我们，我们是神的后嗣。这怎么可能呢？藉着父神的恩典，圣子耶稣的牺牲，以及圣灵带来的收纳， 我们就成了神家的一员！因此，我们是“神的后嗣，和基督同作后嗣。”
那么神究竟拥有什么呢？诗篇 24:1告诉我们：“地和其中所充满的，世界和住在其间的，都属耶和华。”耶稣作为神的独生子，是正当的继承人，继承天父一切所有的。奇妙的是，因着我们被收纳为神的儿女，我们就与基督同作后嗣！这一直是神的计划。祂预先知道我们会“效法他儿子的模样，使他儿子在许多弟兄中作长子。”（罗 8:29）。
和耶稣一样，我们也将承受苦难。但我们所受的苦难并不是承受产业的必要条件；相反，苦难是认同耶稣的必然结果。正如希伯来书 12:3提醒我们的：“你们应当仔细地思想耶稣如何忍受了罪人的顶撞，这样你们心里就不会因丧气而疲倦。”专注于耶稣会帮助我们坚持到底。
主啊，求你激励我们的心专注于耶稣，祂舍了自己，使我们成为你的儿女和后嗣。奉耶稣的名祷告。阿们。
罗马书 8:1-17
1如今，那些在基督耶稣里的就不定罪了。
2因为赐生命圣灵的律在基督耶稣里释放了我，使我脱离罪和死的律了。
3律法既因肉体软弱，有所不能行的，神就差遣自己的儿子成为罪身的形状，做了赎罪祭，在肉体中定了罪案，
4使律法的义成就在我们这不随从肉体、只随从圣灵的人身上。
5因为随从肉体的人，体贴肉体的事；随从圣灵的人，体贴圣灵的事。
6体贴肉体的就是死，体贴圣灵的乃是生命、平安。
7原来体贴肉体的就是与神为仇，因为不服神的律法，也是不能服；
8而且属肉体的人不能得神的喜欢。
9如果神的灵住在你们心里，你们就不属肉体，乃属圣灵了。人若没有基督的灵，就不是属基督的。
10基督若在你们心里，身体就因罪而死，心灵却因义而活。
11然而叫耶稣从死里复活者的灵若住在你们心里，那叫基督耶稣从死里复活的，也必藉着住在你们心里的圣灵，使你们必死的身体又活过来。
12弟兄们，这样看来，我们并不是欠肉体的债，去顺从肉体活着。
13你们若顺从肉体活着，必要死；若靠着圣灵治死身体的恶行，必要活着。
14因为凡被神的灵引导的，都是神的儿子。
15你们所受的不是奴仆的心，仍旧害怕；所受的乃是儿子的心，因此我们呼叫：“阿爸！父！”
16圣灵与我们的心同证我们是神的儿女。
17既是儿女，便是后嗣，就是神的后嗣，和基督同做后嗣。如果我们和他一同受苦，也必和他一同得荣耀。
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ... “ — Romans 8:17
A recent study describes what is called the “Great Wealth Transfer.” Over the next few decades, the baby boomer generation is expected to transfer $68 trillion in financial assets to the next generation. The heirs of these asset holders are set to receive a large inheritance!
Our text today informs us that we are heirs of God. How is this possible? Through the grace of God the Father, the sacrifice of Jesus the Son, and our adoption brought about by the Holy Spirit, we are members of God’s family! As a result, we are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”
And what exactly belongs to God? Psalm 24:1 tells us: “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” Jesus, as the one and only Son of God, is the rightful heir and is set to inherit all that belongs to his Father. And, amazingly, because we’re adopted as children of God, we are co-heirs with Christ! This has been God’s plan all along. He knew in advance that we would “be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that [Jesus] might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29).
And, like Jesus, we will also inherit suffering. But our suffering is not a requirement for the inheritance; instead, suffering is an inevitable result of identifying with Jesus. As Hebrews 12:3 reminds us, “Consider [Jesus] who endured such opposition... so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Focusing on Jesus helps us to persevere.
Inspire us, Lord, to keep our hearts focused on Jesus, who has given himself so that we can be your children and heirs. In his name we pray. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
