7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Verses seven and eight show the purpose of salvation.
7 that
The “that” here goes back to the main verb—“He saved us” (v.5). The purpose of God’s salvation for us was that He might make us heirs with Him.
having been justified
“Justified” means to be declared or caused to be righteous as God is righteous. Justification is far more than “just as if I never sinned.” That is a negative concept, but the word affirms something positive. God puts His own righteousness to our account. He deems us as right as He is right.
An absolute God cannot compromise with sin; otherwise, He would contradict His own character. He resolves this issue by providing the solution Himself. Christ’s death on the cross cleanses us from sin but, beyond that, God declares or causes us to be as righteous as He is right.
by His grace
God’s grace saves our souls. It is what He does, not what we do. Grace means God does the doing. Works means we do the doing. God did all the doing by sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins.
Ro 3: 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
we should become heirs
The goal of salvation is that God would make us His heirs to an eternal inheritance. Salvation results in adoption into God’s family unto eternal life.
Ro 8: 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
according to the hope of eternal life.
God guarantees our future with Him as His heirs. We have an eternal inheritance with Him. The word “hope” is not a wish but a statement of certainty.
Ro 8: 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
PRINCIPLE:
We can count on God to fulfill His promise of eternal life.
APPLICATION:
God gave the Holy Spirit so that He would bring fruition to our salvation. What God’s grace began, His grace in giving the Holy Spirit will see to the end. The Holy Spirit seals the believer until the day of salvation
Eph 4: 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ti 1: 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,
