Children are inheritors. More than that, they are often the reflection of the parents. They tend to model both the best and worst parts of their personality. Part of the goal of raising children within the first century was not only to create additional labor for the work of the Patriarch but so that they could inherit all that there was when the Patriarch passed away.

The point John is making is that we have no parents. We work but only for things that will perish. We inherit, but only that which will fade away. The only personality we model is that which has been distorted by sin. We are cosmic orphans living in a borrowed world. But Jesus came so that in believing, we may be adopted.

In our belief, we are accepted into the family of God. The worst parts of us are exposed before an incredible light, but it graciously shows us the path to follow. We carry out the work and will of God and in the death of Jesus, we inherit all the blessings we never deserved. In Jesus, every part of the family that sin distorted, God redeems.