Five Pillars of Free Grace Theology
Pillar 1 – Justification comes freely through faith alone, but discipleship is costly.
Pillar 2 – There are two kinds of inheritance in the Bible.
Pillar 3 – There are two dimensions to eternal life.
Pillar 4 – It is possible for saved people to fail and
become carnal.
Pillar 5 – Justification comes freely through faith alone, but rewards are obtained by works.
Pillar 2 – There are two kinds of inheritance in the Bible.
Biblical words for inheritance are used 47 times:
Verb (kleronomeo), to inherit – 18 times = To receive as an inheritance, to obtain by right of inheritance
Noun (kleronomos), heir – 15 times = One who receives or obtains the portion allotted him
Noun (kleronomia), inheritance – 14 times = An inheritance that is received
Key Passages of Scripture
Inheritance = heaven when we die (eternal life)
Galatians 3:29, And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Ephesians 1:13-14, …you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Colossians 1:12, Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
See also 1 Peter 1:4
Inheritance = a reward obtained by works
Colossians 3:23-24, …do your work heartily… knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
See also:
Matthew 19:28
Mark 10:17
Acts 20:28
Inheritance in Hebrews:
Verb - 1: 4, 14; 6:12
Noun (heir) – 1:2; 6:17; 11:7
Noun (inheritance) 9:15; 11:8
Inheritance used in both ways:
Romans 8:17, …we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
The vice lists – do they disqualify us from heaven?
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Galatians 5:17-21
Ephesians 5:1-7
The Biblical conclusion:
One kind of inheritance is for reward and is based upon works and the other kind is our final entrance into heaven and comes by faith alone.
The thirsty live, but the hungry inherit!¹
¹Zane Hodges, The Hungry Inherit: Winning the Wealth of the World to Come (Dallas, Redencion Viva, 3rd Edition 1997), 135.